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EB-G projects near end at Grafenwoehr

May 11, 2010

By Trecia Wilson (USAG Grafenwoehr)

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - The end is in sight. The Efficient Basing-Grafenwoehr project is on its final leg.

For many, this brings a sigh of relief, but for others it is a sigh of concern. This dichotomy exists because the completion of a construction project of this size has enormous financial implications for the economics of the region.

Many U.S. Army and German dignitaries met to formally celebrate the success and final phases of the Efficient Basing-Grafenwoehr project April 29.

"What the Efficient Basing-Grafenwoehr project has done for this community is tremendous," said Brig. Gen. Stphen Salazar, commanding general, Joint Multinational Training Command. "However, this is not the end of the project. It is simply a transition to the next phase."

A testament to that success was the attendance of such German dignitaries as State Secretary Dr. Andreas Scheuer, Bavarian Minister of the Interior Joachim Herrmann
and Neustadt en der Waldnaab County Commissioner Simon Wittmann.

The project, which formally began in late 2001, was a financial boon for the Grafenwoehr area.

"It is no secret that the northern Oberpfalz region is a structurally and economically weak region," said Dr. Andreas Scheuer, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Traffic, Construction and City Development. "That is why the now nearly completed construction program had an immense impact on the entire region. With that investment, the U.S. forces not only made a strong statement for their military installation at Grafenwoehr, they went even farther and expanded it and gave it a future."

The United States has invested almost 700 million euro in the EB-G project. Add to that the investments made by third parties, utilities and administration costs on the German side of the project, and the total approaches almost one billion euro.

"The irony of all this success, all this effort, is the reward," said Col. John Kem, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Europe. "Now that this program is over, many of these talented souls who got us to this point are looking for jobs. Some reward, huh?"

"Well, I brought some extra business cards with me," said Kem with a smile. "We're (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) always looking for smart, capable engineers with a sense of adventure."

Because of the scope and magnitude of the EB-G project, planners had to re-evaluate their tactics because the old standard would not be efficient enough. The creation of a centrally-located group of highly-qualified professionals, or Baudeinstelle, was needed.

"This co-located ensemble of highly-qualified professionals was probably the critical factor to the success of this extraordinarily large and fast-paced program," said Kem.

Kem said the centralized location shortened lines of communication, decreasing wait time for e-mails and almost eliminating phone tag.

"Our guys could literally walk down the hall and deliver the message," Kem said. "Whether it was a handshake or a punch in the face, it got there faster and it got there clearer."

This wasn't the only important aspect of the project. Because of the increase in troops, there was also an increase of families, thus a huge need for housing had to be addressed.

"In addition to the approximately 3,500 U.S. Soldiers, about 5,000 family members moved to Grafenwoehr, and houses had to be built for them," said Joachim Herrmann, Bavarian Minister of the Interior.

"The German federal government as well as the Bavarian government supported that project as well, and in accordance with U.S. budget laws, a rent guarantee can only be given for a maximum of 10 years outside the continental U.S.A. But that was not enough to ensure the financing of the family dwellings on the free market," added Herrmann.

The results of that issue, Herrmann said, almost resulted in the failing of the U.S. housing area on Netzaberg in Eschenbach. To ensure this financing the federal government and the Bavarian government agreed to give an additional five-year rent guarantee.

According to Herrmann, in the coming years, an additional 300 million euro is scheduled to be invested in military construction projects, which will be administered by the responsible state construction office in Amberg.

But investments do not only continue in the military area, Herrmann told attendees. He said U.S. families need about 400 housing units in the surrounding communities within 30 minutes travel time to Grafenwoehr.

"I can only encourage you to support the Federal Real Estate Office in its search for appropriate housing in your communities," Herrmann urged German mayors. "By doing so, you can help American families enjoy themselves and feel at home in Bavaria. Simultaneously, you are increasing the economic strength of your community."

Andreas Scheuer told attendees construction has not ended.

"Additional large construction projects will be started in the near future at the U.S. military installations in Ansbach, Wiesbaden and Ramstein," he said. "I would like to especially mention the construction of a new U.S. military hospital in Weilerbach near Ramstein, for which the first funds were approved by the U.S. government a few days ago."

These projects continue to strengthen the U.S.-German partnership.

"U.S. Army Europe continues to pursue funding for new training and quality of life facilities for the Grafenwoehr community, as this community will remain critical to our training and operations through this period of transformation and into the future," Salazar said.