WFSB Channel 3Talk of potential BRAC re-establishment has many nervous

Talk of potential BRAC re-establishment has many nervous

The U.S. Pentagon is considering re-establishing the Base Realignment and Closure Committee, also know as BRAC, to save money.

The latest talk threatens the future of the Navy's submarine base in Groton like it did in the last round in 2005.

The base is a $3 billion economic engine for southeast Connecticut, employing thousands of civilians and service people.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal said the proposal is "dead on arrival" because there is no funding for a BRAC commission.

BRAC rejected a Pentagon recommendation in 2005 to shut the base. The decision came after state and local elected officials, businesses, civic groups and others quickly formed a coalition to beat back the proposed shutdown. The base also had been targeted in 1993.

Since the last BRAC round in 2005, Connecticut has invested $11 million in the submarine base infrastructure while the federal government put up another $10 million.

Bob Ross, who heads up the Connecticut Office of Military Affairs, said the last BRAC cost $35 million to operate. Right now, there is no budget assigned for a new BRAC.

"There will be someday another BRAC. It's coming, but  I'm not sure its going to come that soon," he said.

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