Fort Bliss might get 11,000 more troops! (El Paso: crime, credit, construction)

[Chuco]

The El Paso Times is now reporting that the Army wants to send 11,000 more troops to Ft. Bliss on top of the 20,000 new troops that are already coming for sure. The Army is now thinking of bringing in an additional three brigade combat teams to the area, two would go to Ft. Bliss and one would go to White Sands. Ft. Bliss is currently going through a $3.1 billion expansion. According to a study done by UTEP researchers, the total economic impact of the Fort Bliss expansion will be an estimated $21.7 billion over the next seven years, and then an additional $3.7 billion annually for many years after that.

This is all great, but how will our schools hold up with all of this influx of new soldiers? Hopefully that new Inner loop freeway will be built on time for when they all get here, it is going to be badly needed.

El Paso Times - Bliss may get additional 11,000 troops
El Paso Times - Expansion requirements practically creating 2nd Fort Bliss

[holmes]

Yeah, that's some crazy growth there.. We just approved one bond to expand schools, and I'm sure we'll get another if they do approve those extra troops. I always thought that all the land the army had holed up there was kind of a waste. Nice to see they're finally putting some of it to good use. One thing's for sure: they've got the land to grow as big as they want..

[6 FOOT 3]

Also people fail to realize is a certain percentage of these extra troops coming to the Bliss expansion will retire in EP and EP will also benefit from that as i remember my Gramps spending his army retirement income very well in EP in different sectors.....

[Muhnay]

And uhm who told you this many many months ago? Thats right I did.. go back and look. See Maybe Muhnay does know what the heck he is talking about after all.

[mrkool]

In 1989 I was at Bliss, in the 3rd Cav, for the last several months of my 12 year military stint. I didn't half mind El Paso, the weather, or the post. The Cav, especially the squadron I was in, was one of the worst units I was ever in, but some good people. If I'm not mistaken, 3rd Cav moved to Ft Carson Colorado, so I thought maybe Bliss was smaller and dying. Glad to hear it's getting an influx.

[Chuco]

Originally Posted by Muhnay

And uhm who told you this many many months ago? Thats right I did.. go back and look. See Maybe Muhnay does know what the heck he is talking about after all.

Quite a few of us were saying the same thing..about the schools..but nice for ya to take credit...
Hope things are going good for ya down there in Mississippi.

[Chuco]

Originally Posted by mrkool

In 1989 I was at Bliss, in the 3rd Cav, for the last several months of my 12 year military stint. I didn't half mind El Paso, the weather, or the post. The Cav, especially the squadron I was in, was one of the worst units I was ever in, but some good people. If I'm not mistaken, 3rd Cav moved to Ft Carson Colorado, so I thought maybe Bliss was smaller and dying. Glad to hear it's getting an influx.

Yup, Ft. Bliss a few years ago was in a big decline.. especially after the 3rd Cav moved out, but now its about to grow bigger than ever.

[lipbalm]

I suspect the only thing that will go up is crime (assaults, manslaughter, robberies, etc.).

[6 FOOT 3]

I think it was this past saturday or friday's EP daily news showing construction of the new buildings out there......gotta say its good to see them finally get rid of the WWII look of Bliss. Anything that modernizes EP has to be good since not alot of dinero there.......

[clashman]

I don't think the Ft. Bliss expansion is a big benefit to the average El Pasoan. Unless you are a business owner than you will benefit. It only means more taxes to pass on the working class. Of course anyone with a contract to help expand Ft. Bliss will disagree.

I haven't seen any numbers on the amount of civilian jobs it's going to generate. Anyone know?