Introduction

The Congressional study request suggested that a Washington-based conversion office--armed with sufficient grant assistance resources--should be largely responsible for identifying and guiding the reuse of former defense industrial facilities and military bases and for providing special assistance benefits for displaced defense workers. The term "economic conversion" in the Congressional request focuses on those programs for reusing defense industrial facilities or for assisting displaced workers on the local or micro-economic scene. Industrial plant reuse and new product development is normally a private sector responsibility in our economy. Conversion represents an abrupt departure from the normal state and community economic development process for defense industry alone. Communities with defense impact problems or civilian plant closures have been successful in attracting replacement jobs by strengthening their local economic development programs. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.