Draft Economic Analysis Helps Area Begin Preparing for 2005 Base Closure Hearings

The Everett Area Chamber, City of Everett, Snohomish County and the Port of Everett continue to prepare for Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) proceedings, scheduled for 2005. The BRAC process is designed to determine which military bases will be closed as a way to allow the Dept. of Defense to align the number and location of bases with current military requirements.

According to a draft economic analysis commissioned by the City on behalf of the community Navy support coalition, 4,517 military and civilian Navy personnel call Snohomish County home, but that number only begins to account for the impact Naval Station Everett has on the Everett and Snohomish County economy. As of July, 2004, the Navy was the second largest employer in Snohomish County, behind the Boeing Co., accounting for one of every 50 jobs in the county. Base wages and salaries alone totaled $159 million. Statewide, Navy salaries pumped a total of $3.7 billion into the Washington State economy.

The BRAC process outlines a number of criteria to review military bases. The Chamber and its colleague organizations currently are preparing arguments based on a requirement for decisions to take into account the economic impact a base closure would have on the surrounding community.

“For every direct Navy job, there are 1.33 indirect jobs created,” said Pat McClain of the City of Everett. “That means 10,545 family-wage jobs directly or indirectly associated with Naval Station Everett.”

“Naval Station Everett alone generates $431 million a year in total economic impact,” said Everett Chamber President Louise Stanton-Masten. “That’s a contribution that supports our schools, our local businesses, our social service agencies.”

According to a survey conducted by the groups, 87 percent of businesses responding said Naval Station Everett had a positive impact on his or her business. About 84 percent of respondents said his or her business did less than 20 percent of total business with the Navy, indicating that many businesses are benefiting rather than a select few. A full 98 percent of respondents supported the continued presence of NAS Everett in the Everett community.

BRAC commission members are scheduled to be selected in 2005. A decision about any base closings is scheduled for November 2005. The Chamber, City, Port and County plan to continue to prepare assertively for the proceedings, Stanton-Masten said.

“The Everett community is benefiting already from the leadership on this issue shown by the City of Everett, Port of Everett and Snohomish County,” she said. “This is an effort that in the next year will require the active participation and support of every Snohomish County resident and business owner. That’s why it is critical to get an early start.