Fort Lee expansion pumps up local economy

Page Dowdy/Chesterfield Observer White Oaks Luxury Apartments off Route 10 just east of Interstate 95 is one apartment complex being recommended by county officials for students and workers at Fort Lee.

Most of the influx of people has already hit Chesterfield County, the Tri-Cities and the surrounding area as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) expansion at Fort Lee, but the economic impact has yet to be fully realized. According to David Lees of the BRAC Synchronization Office, 4,799 military personnel, 3,580 civilians and 1,237 contractors are already here. Those numbers will increase to 5,991 people in uniform, 4,993 civilians and 1,884 contractors in two years when the growth spurt subsides.

Lees told Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce members last week that 31.2 percent of that population growth is expected to live in Chesterfield. That's more than any other local jurisdiction but down from BRAC's estimate 18 months ago of 45 percent in Chesterfield.

"It's a challenge to find places for these people to live and work," said Lees.

Of the total, 58 percent of them are projected to be homeowners. Currently, some of the military personnel and civilians working at Fort Lee are commuting daily from as far away as Virginia Beach, Dale City and Rockingham County.

Much of the new construction at the military installation is for classrooms for the Sustainment Center of Excellence, which is bringing several training programs to Fort Lee, including the Ordnance Mechanical Maintenance School (from Aberdeen, Md.), the Transportation Center & School (from Fort Eustis, Va.), and the Air Force Transportation Training and Air Force Culinary Training Centers (from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas). Ninety-one construction projects will increase the square footage of buildings under roof from 7.5 million to 14 million.

While this area has seen little impact of the federal stimulus package, BRAC - approved before the economy's steep decline late last year - has provided its own stimulus. Thus far, it's pumped in $1.85 billion for construction, and by 2013 will be worth $1.7 billion to the local economy.

Chesterfield County has been working closely with BRAC officials, and County Administrator Jay Stegmaier is appreciative of the efforts by those who brought the Fort Lee expansion to fruition, especially Congressman Randy Forbes (R-Virginia's 4th District). "It's been a boost to our economy when we really needed it," Stegmaier said.

Russell Harris, manager for Community Development Services, said Chesterfield anticipates some of the business opportunities that will be created are likely to locate on Jefferson Davis Highway near the Colonial Heights line and in the Rivers Bend area.

"There's a critical housing need for Fort Lee students and business people alike, and we suggested they look in the Chester area just off I-95," he said.