Introduction

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to support the economic development efforts of communities who host a military base. The focus is “outside of the fence” to explain to civilian leaders accepted and emerging practices for supporting a base while creating economic development. This is an advanced readers copy to collect expert reviews and comments with the goal of creating community-oriented best practices training material.

Background

Since 2018, the Department of Defense has begun a more proactive and expanded view of military quality of life issue management. Widely known efforts include a 2018 letter from all three military secretaries to the National Governors Association, Airforce and Department of Defense (DoD) quality of life score cards which rank communities based on key quality of life indicators etc. While much of the efforts undertaken by the DoD have sought to enact change at the state level, there has not yet been a targeted effort at educating and equipping the communities that host military installations. This is not to suggest that there is not a significant volume of resources and information available. Instead, the work that has been done has been primarily aimed at a different audience. Through organizations such as the Association of Defense Communities, community-oriented efforts have taken place, and more studies, more research, and more resources continue to become available. However, there is not a concise manual or guide, backed by university-level research that ensures communities are able to understand how to support the installation; how to determine growth opportunities; or how to understand the issues and concerns of the men and women that work on and around the base. These concepts have largely been left up to the communities themselves to determine. Many have successfully tackled these problems and others have struggled.[1].

Method of Investigation

This report is based on a review of the related research and interviews with nine best practice communities. A detailed methodology is included at the end of the report. The advanced reader copy will be used to collect further insights and make corrections if needed.

Scope

This report covers Army, Air Force, and Navy bases in the United States. The focus is on small to mid-size communities. The time frame is present day.

[1] Cited from Waldrop, PJ (2022) How Can communities Benefit from a Consolidated Best Practices Manual for Installation/Military Community Support? Concept Paper by the State of Mississippi Governor’s Office of Military Affairs

Prepared By:

Dr. Chad R. Miller, Professor of Economic Development

Jace R. Ponder, Mississippi Governor’s Office of Military Affairs

March  2024