North Carolina Military Affairs Commission (NC MAC)
About
The NC Military Affairs Commission was established within the Office of the Governor by Senate Bill 613, effective August 1st, 2013. In 2015, House Bill 97 made the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs responsible for organizational, budgetary and administrative purposes of the Commission. The Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs serves as the administrative head of the Commission and is responsible for the operations and normal business activities of the Commission, with oversight by the Commission.
Purpose
To provide advice, counsel and recommendations to the Governor, the NC General Assembly, the Secretary of Commerce and other State agencies on initiatives, programs and legislation that will continue and increase the role that NC’s military installations, the National Guard and Reserves play in America’s defense strategy and the economic health and vitality of the State. The Commission will recommend actions to protect the existing military infrastructure in North Carolina, maintain a high quality of life for military members and their families and to promote new military missions and economic opportunities for the State and its citizens. The Commission is authorized to:
- Coordinate and provide recommendations to the Governor, General Assembly, and State agencies to protect North Carolina's military installations from encroachment or other initiatives that could result in degradation or restrictions to military operations, training ranges, or low-level routes.
- Cooperate with military installations to facilitate the military mission, training, and continued presence of major military installations in the State and notify the commanding military officer of a military installation and the governing body in affected counties and municipalities of any economic development or other projects that may impact military installations.
- Identify and support ways to provide a sound infrastructure, adequate housing and education, and transition support into North Carolina's workforce for military members and their families, military retirees, and veterans.
- Lead the State's initiative to prepare for the next round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), as defined by the Governor and the General Assembly, with input from local military communities.
- Identify and support economic development organizations and initiatives that focus on leveraging the military and other business opportunities to help create jobs and expand defense and homeland security related economic development activity in North Carolina.
- Assist military installations located within the State by coordinating with commanders, communities, and State and federal agencies on affairs that affect military installations and may require State coordination and assistance.
- Support the long-term goal of a viable and prosperous military presence in the State, which shall include development of comprehensive economic Page 2 S613 [Ratified] impact studies of military activities in North Carolina, updated every two years with recommendations for initiatives to support this goal.
- Support the Army's Compatible Use Buffer Program, the Working Lands Group, and related initiatives.
- Adopt processes to ensure that all planning, coordination, and actions are conducted with timely consideration having been given to relevant military readiness or training concerns and with appropriate communications with all potentially affected military entities.
- Share information and coordinate efforts with the North Carolina congressional delegation and other federal agencies, as appropriate.
- Any other issue or matter that the Commission deems essential to fulfilling its purpose.
Goals
Goal 1. Protect North Carolina’s existing military installations and missions
Use the Commission’s membership, resources and partners to develop recommendations to advise the Governor on ways to protect North Carolina’s military installations, infrastructure, training ranges and low level routes from encroachment or other initiatives that could degrade the military mission. Involve Commission members, both voting and ex-officio, working with community leaders, installation commanders, state and federal agencies, land use and environmental groups, developers and other partners to identify potential threats or problems and assist with resolving them before they encroach on installations or adversely affect military training and other missions.
Goal 2. Expand defense related economic development in North Carolina
Provide assistance, support and recommendations to the N.C. Secretary of Commerce that identify and support economic development opportunities that focus on leveraging the military, help create jobs and expand defense and homeland security related economic growth opportunities in North Carolina.
Goal 3. Improve quality of life for military members and families
Promote mutual understanding and support between military members on installations and adjacent communities and encourage joint planning, cooperation and sharing of services. Seek to improve the quality of life for military members and their families, retirees, and veterans who live in North Carolina by identifying and supporting initiatives, programs and legislation that protect and enhance military programs and benefits.
Goal 4. Provide legislative and state agency coordination for military related issues
Clarify and strengthen the ability of the General Assembly and State Agencies to carry out their functions and to write legislation appropriate to support the objectives of the State to as declared in this document. Coordinate and leverage efforts among military installations, state agencies, military interest groups and others to take appropriate actions at the state level to promote base sustainability, economic development and quality of life.
Goal 5: Lead the state’s efforts to prepare for the next base realignment and closure (BRAC) process
Coordinate community, regional and state efforts in preparation for the next BRAC and define a process that communities should follow to prepare for the next BRAC.