Last week the Defense Information Systems Agency opened its new headquarters at Fort Meade, Md. in a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring military leaders and members of the Maryland government.
The opening is a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure which is moving several additional facilities to Fort Meade, including the Defense Media Activity and Defense Adjudication Office.
The relocations are a major boon to the southern Maryland region. More than four thousand employees will work in the new DISA facility, including government employees, contractors and military personnel.
"It does mean jobs–good jobs," Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) said. "Not just the ones relocating here, but the contractors that will also be in this community. It will help us economically."
The organization is undergoing a phased move which brings approximately 200 employees to the facility each week. The phased move is designed partially to aid with infrastructure burdens expected as facilities add additional workers – and their cars – to the already crowded roadways around the Fort Meade and Anne Arundel County region.
“Infrastructure is always a challenge,” said DISA director Lt. Gen. Carroll Pollett. “But significant work is underway. It will be an inconvenience but things are going to improve”.
Telework is one way DISA is working to solve infrastructure issues, and encourage workers to remain with the organization despite the move.
