The Army is reducing its personnel by about 25 percent over the next four years. And it’s going to have an impact on San Antonio.
The Army plans to have an end-strength of 420,000, down from a war-time high of 570,000. Locally that means a reduction of nearly 4,000 soldiers and 2,000 civilians.
Six thousand people at Fort Sam Houston and their 9,000 family members will have a significant impact on the economy according to Robert Naething, U.S. Army North Deputy to the Commanding General.
“The quick numbers come to about $380 million. But that does not take into account any other impacts it may have — real estate agents that aren’t selling homes, restaurants that aren’t selling meals, cars that aren’t being sold,” said Naething. “That $380 million impact is on the low side. It will actually be much hire than that. It’s hard to calculate.”
This will be the subject of a town hall-style Listening Session, involving the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, The Army, The City of San Antonio, and Bexar County next week.
The public is encouraged participate on Tuesday, March 31, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Bexar County Main Exposition Hall next to the AT&T Center.
