This is just one aspect of eco-industrial development. The benefits and savings that will accrue to society from more efficient use of existing resources can provide the basis for an economic expansion that will increase economic prosperity for all. By preventing pollution, reusing and recycling materials, and conserving energy, new technologies can increase profits, protect and create jobs, and reduce threats to the environment. The downsizing of the military is one example of external forces that change local economies. Military conversion is the process of reassigning military facilities, equipment, and personnel to new uses which help to mitigate the impacts of base closure.
Conversion can catalyze sustainable development if appropriate resources are employed in the effort.
By incorporating sustainable development principles into the federal dollars spent in the conversion process, including environmental cleanup, the federal government can serve as a catalyst for creating new industries that help these communities diversify their economic base. Given that perhaps the only natural resource that can be considered unlimited is human intellectual capacity, training and lifelong learning are essential if communities are to develop a flexible, well-educated workforce. Education and training are arguably the most valuable pieces of any economic development strategy because they are the only way to build the intellectual capacity necessary for a trainable and employable workforce. This capacity, in turn, allows a community to adapt to the fundamental shifts in national and international economies that will continue in the years ahead. Partnerships that involve employers, unions, educators, and workers are key to ensuring that employees can take advantage of the opportunities offered by emerging industries.