Reinvesting Government: Financing Options for Military Base Redevelopment

Abstract

<jats:p>This paper explores the issues of “privatization in place” versus public enterprise with regard to military base redevelopment. Three case studies are used to examine three research proposals having to do with public involvement, market solutions and policy outcomes. We find that while politically popular, privatization provides little in the way of civilian job creation and income replacement at former military bases. Instead, the case of Alexandria, Louisiana, supports the idea that public enterprise authorities can and do provide economic recovery for their communities. The federal government seems to agree given that privatization was not an option for base conversions in the 2005 closure round.</jats:p>