5 Years Of BRAC’s Impact On Fort Bliss

It’s been five years since the government decided to reassign thousands of troops to Fort Bliss.

As a result of BRAC, Fort Bliss received a combat division with four brigade combat teams and a combat aviation brigade.

It was a move with big promises for the borderland and it appears BRAC will live up to those expectations.

“The timing of BRAC couldn’t have been more perfect for El Paso to weather the economic storm.” said Realtor Dan Olivas.

Since 2005, El Paso has been preparing for 25,000 more troops and their families.

“It’s been a tremendous boom for El Paso, ” said Olivas.

Even though many of the soldiers moving here are young and can’t really afford to buy a home Olivas says BRAC is doing wonders for the housing market.

“Not only have troops been buying and renting, but it has afforded local people to be able to buy and to rent,” Olivas said.

There’s no question the City of El Paso has visibly changed with the base realignment.

There are many more new buildings and new roads in northeast El Paso, but there are other ways BRAC has impacted the community.

“We do the most military,” said Bianca Garcia at “Yes We Do” haircuts in the northeast part of town.

She says they offer discounts for the military to help boost sales and it’s working.

“On a busy day probably 80, 80 people,” Garcia said.

However, the growth has also made things tough in some areas.

El Paso has a shortage of apartment complexes.

“It really has impacted the rental side of it, probably a lot more than the purchasing,” said Olivas.

The city has responded by providing incentives for apartment builders.

“The positive far outweighs any negative involved, what so ever,” said Olivas.

All of the soldiers are expected to arrive by next year.