development organizations cannot target companies and industries that
would be compatible and complementary for the community and military.
This means without educating the local economic development
organizations about the Maxwell AFB mission requirements, the potential
for lost opportunities or development opportunities that target industries
and companies that would create incompatible development would
potentially increase. While imposing limitations on development may be
perceived as an adverse impact on economic development, targeting
industries and development that would be compatible or even, synergistic
with the military operations facilitates the mutual success of both Maxwell
AFB and future community development. If incompatible development
occurs due to misinformed economic development efforts, then certain
economic development opportunities may not be as profitable as other
industries and companies might in this scenario.
Compatibility Assessment
The Montgomery Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber) is the local
economic development recruitment agency in the JLUS Study Area. The
Montgomery Chamber of Commerce provides the traditional economic
development information on its website,
https://www.montgomerychamber.com/.
The Chamber provides a community profiles, economic data, population
numbers, maps, and various other data. The maps; however, do not provide
information on the assets of Maxwell AFB and its operational areas. The
airport map does not include Maxwell AFB as an airport. While civilians and
commercial airlines do not utilize the Maxwell AFB airport, Maxwell AFB
utilizes Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) and shares Class D airspace
with MGM.
There is perception that incorporating military operational areas as maps on
the website may have an adverse impact on economic development.
Lessons learned and best practices has resulted in knowing that a majority of
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economic development practitioners and developers prefer having more
information early in the process prior to final plans being prepared as this
allows for inexpensive changes in plans to accommodate for military
operations or any other potential constraints.
In addition, the Chamber indicates on their website that they focus on
military and federal affairs; however, none of the maps on the Chamber’s
website recognizes Maxwell AFB as an economic asset that could be
marketed. In addition, the Chamber’s website includes an entire webpage
to Maxwell AFB missions; however, the website does not explain how to
partner with the military in business recruitment. There is also no point‐of‐
contact for the military and federal affairs component of the Chamber’s
focus.
The Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission
(CARPDC) is made up of Autauga, Elmore, and Montgomery counties, and
works closely with the South Central Alabama Development Commission’s
(SCADA) Economic Development District (EDD), to which the City of
Montgomery and Montgomery County also belong. SCADA and CARPDC
work together on long range planning goals and objectives because of the
large impacts of the City of Montgomery and Montgomery County within
the region. As these organizations establish goals, objectives, and strategies
for local and regional economic development, it would be a missed
opportunity if the strategies did not consider the military operations that are
ongoing in this region.
The 2015 CARPDC comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS)
recognizes Maxwell AFB as a strength, as it provides billions of dollars in
economic development, brings a large educational component, and provides
prestige to the area. Items like extending I‐85 to Mississippi, waterway
tourism, marketing of the region – including land around the airport, and
gaining additional military programs from closed bases were identified in the
CEDS as economic development strengths and opportunities. Conversely,
the CEDS recognizes the impacts if Maxwell AFB loses missions, including job
Background Report
June 2017