What is also noteworthy is that more than 60 percent of all the jobs lost were for non-uniformed workers which were often employed in production or operations and maintenance functions at the facilities. Such activities often have stimulating economic effects on the surrounding economy due to regional purchases related to the bases operations, as well as the consumption effects from the spending of workers incomes off base. New Economy, Summer 1995, National Commission for Economic Conversion and Disarmament, Washington DC, page 11. Base Closure Conversion-Related Funding Throughout the base closure process federal funding has been available for affected communities for technical assistance and planning, implementation of economic development plans and projects, worker retraining, facility conversion and environmental cleanup. This funding is principally used to bring existing installations and infrastructure into compliance with municipal and state codes and to provide additional funding for environmental clean up of closing military bases.
Toxic contamination remains the greatest obstacle to base redevelopment.
Indeed, up-front environmental investments are required to enable rapid and environmentally responsible economic development. Funds from the Labor Department's Dislocated Worker Program and the Defense Department's Military Personnel Transition Assistance Program round out the palette of available assistance for communities and workers facing base closures. Both defense industry workers and employees of closed bases are eligible for assistance under the dislocated worker retraining program, and active duty military personnel and civilian base employees are eligible for military transition assistance. Public-purpose conveyance of part or all of the base's land and remaining facilities and equipment is another source of federal assistance that may be available to impacted communities. Educational, public safety, public health, housing for the homeless, civilian airport needs and economic development purposes are all grounds for applying for such public-purpose conveyance to the community.