Base Realignment at Eglin AFB and Duke Field (Crestview)

Okaloosa County is faced with growth within the next few years. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) slated Okaloosa County's military installations with a growth of 4,500 military personnel  for a total population influx of 11,000 by 2016. In 2005, Eglin Air Force Base reported being able to house approximately 20% of the incoming military personnel in their current housing inventory. In 2008, Eglin AFB and Hurlburt will demolish 2,257 housing units, but planning to rebuild only 1,684. This puts an additional 573 military families into the community housing market.  The Army Special Forces (2,200) are planned to move into the northern county area (Crestview) by 2011.  The Air Force's first Joint Strike Fighter is planned to arrive at Eglin AFB in March 2010 with the last of the 113 planes to arrive in June 2016. It is anticipated there will be an influx of  an associated 2,326 personnel with these planes. In addition to the BRAC related growth,the Okaloosa/Walton/Escambia Counties continue to sustain strong economies supported by defense-related industries.