Quantico, Belvoir business group preps for future

Just because Base Realign­ment and Closure 2005 moves and construction have been completed at Quantico Marine Corps base and Fort Belvoir does not mean the Quantico Belvoir Regional Business Alliance is irrelevant.

The 70-member group formed in 2008 is preparing for its future. At its recent quarterly meeting, members discussed the impact of the defense industry on the local economy, said Miles Fried­man, alliance president.

“That fits beautifully with the expanded mandate of our or­ganization, which is long-term economic growth, not just to do with BRAC,” he said.

“Right from the very begin­ning, I think our board was very aware that this was about more than just BRAC,” Friedman said. “It was about focusing on one of the top three industries in our region, making connections and regional business growth.”

BRAC 2005 brought more than 20,000 personnel to the two area military installations, which also saw millions of dollars in con­struction spending.

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“I don’t think people in this region fully appreciate how important these bases are to our economy,” he said. “There’s nothing subtle about it. I think that people need to know how important these economic engines are to our economy.”

Fort Belvoir also boasts a new hospital as a result of BRAC.

“To say the impact of the military is only around the bases would be a mistake,” Friedman said, adding that the alliance’s membership stretches from Arlington to Fredericksburg. “We’re still seeing impact from BRAC, even though the moves have been completed.”

Friedman said both commercial and residential real estate companies have seen an uptick in business, which he believes is a result of BRAC.

“I think we’re still just at the cusp of [BRAC’s] commercial impact,” he said. “A lot of people have been taking a wait and see attitude.” Friedman also stressed the alliance does not view area chambers of commerce as rivals for membership.

“We don’t supplant or compete with the chambers,” he said. “We’re now working with nine chambers.”

Friedman said the first thing he tells business owners is to join the local chamber.

“I believe very, very strongly in our chambers, including our new Prince William Chamber. They’re wonderful opportunities for business,” he said. “If you’re interested in this issue, the DoD [Department of Defense] and military, and if you’re interested in a regional organization as well, then you should also join the alliance.”

Friedman said about 95 percent of the alliance’s membership also belongs to at least one area chamber of commerce.

He also said the alliance already has begun focusing on cluster industries, such as the military/DoD, construction/architecture/ engineering, health care, hospitality; and education as a way to continue to enhance economic growth in the area.

For more, visit qbrbusinessalliance. com.

Military editor Julia LeDoux can be reached at 703-369-5718.