Over 13,000 defense jobs to relocate from Crystal City to suburban areas.
The relocation of BRAC jobs could be good news in Prince William, Stafford and southern Fairfax counties, which are likely to benefit economically from more defense workers and the contractors who follow them.
About 26,000 people commute to Fort Belvoir each day, but come September 2011, there will be 12,000 more, who would face lengthy commutes if they tried to use public transportation instead.
If history is any guide, when the Defense Department transfers jobs, only about 25 to 30 percent will change their commute or move to a new home to keep the same job. The majority look for something else closer to home.
Workers being affected by the BRAC move seek help from Arlington’s BRAC Transition Center inside the Shops at Crystal City. The BRAC Transition Center serves as the hub of activity for workers and businesses seeking assistance to navigate the BRAC process. It serves as a type of “one-stop” for information, resources, worker services, business assistance, references, and networking for workers and businesses directly and indirectly affected by BRAC. It provides a range of services from career counseling to starting a business, creating a powerful synergy of economic endeavor.
