Ft. Knox experiencing a different kind of boom

Fort Knox is “ahead of schedule” as it prepares for an influx of thousands of new civilian workers and troops. That’s the word from Garrison Commander Col. Mark Needham.

Needham says $700 million in construction is going on now on post, including new housing for enlisted personnel unveiled today.

“(We have) 1300 more soldiers today than 2005 when BRAC was announced. We still have the Human Resources Command to come, an Accessions Command, Cadet Command, and the Infantry Brigade,” Needham said.

The 3^rd Brigade, 1^st Infantry Division is expected to come home from war next summer, to their new home at Fort Knox. The move will bring another 3500 soldiers to the post.

The first residents of the new housing on post are Staff Sgt Ricardo Cruz and his family. He cut the ribbon today in front of a 3-bedroom, two-level home in the Maple Ridge Subdivison, where about 250 of the 850 new Fort Knox homes are under construction.

“Looks more like a house, not government quarters,” Cruz said, flanked by his nine year old son.

It’s a lease on a new house for him, but for Fort Knox and surrounding communities, this is not only a sign of a new lease on life, but an economic boom --- as the post prepares for a huge influx of civilian jobs when the Human Resources Command moves here in two years.

Needham says it’s a change for the entire region.

“All of them are going to live off post, including their families,” Needham told WHAS11’s Joe Arnold, “So they will go to off post schools, their spouses are going to want jobs, they will have homes off post, and I will tell you a majority of the soldiers will not be able to fit in on post housing. They’re going to be living among the community.”

“From SKY11 today, the boom is unmistakable. Everywhere you look, there’s development. Kentucky taxpayers will shell out $100 million for new schools and services, plus improvements to roads, wa