One of the biggest things happening soon that could impact our local economy in a big way is the base realignment at Ft. Bragg (BRAC) that will be creating around 19,000 jobs in our area by the year 2013. It is projected to cause an increase in the population around Fayetteville by around 40,000 people.

In the impact study developed by our very own Wayne Freeman’s company, TDA, Inc., estimated that there would be 253 new contractor jobs in 2008, 120 in 2009, 120 in 2010 and 1226 in 2011. These are the jobs that many think we should focus our attention due to our attractive airbase with tremendous growth opportunities that is perfect for company relocations in this industry. For more information about BRAC, go to the BRAC Regional Task Force website and see the impact study at: www.bracrtf.com.

We have already benefitted from a defense contractor relocation of the Gryphon Group Security Solutions that recently announced it would build its Fort Bragg Combat Training Center at the Laurinburg/Maxton Airport. They are projecting to employ over 60 people and that they will exceed $3.2 million in annual local spending.

Attracting personnel and contractors to our area could be greatly improved by getting behind this Active Laurinburg Group and helping us attract people to participate in various social and sports-related activities. Once we have several new activities going for adults in our area, we can then promote those on the Internet, newspaper, billboard, magazines, radio, etc. making us a “must see” destination.

Then, when military families receive their orders to Bragg, they’ll notice the many things we have that interest them that they may not find in neighboring towns. This might also influence corporate executives looking for a good fit for their new facility nearer Bragg for their operations and their employees. Both of these examples will help bring visitors to our area for visits before deciding to move here that helps fill our hotels and restaurants and brings in more tax revenue in the process.

By creating a higher quality of life for our residents with this initiative, we are helping create something that can set us apart from the pack and give us a competitive advantage. And since we already have one of the finest school systems in the region, this just might be the thing that helped them pick us. The benefit for those of us already living here is that these new activities will get us out of the house so we can improve our health by playing and socializing more with our friends.

Do your part in helping create an “Active Adult Community” by going to our website and joining this group today. Membership is free and open to anyone over 18 years old. Your involvement and help in promoting this can make a difference in helping us make Laurinburg a better place for all of us. Over 70 have joined this group already in our first month of promotions and we need several hundred to make this group what it can be.

Get involved and get active with us at: www.activelaurinburg.com. Do your part to help stimulate our economy while improving your quality of life too!