Located near Corpus Christi, the City of Ingleside, had developed into a large military center by the mid-2000's.  This was in large part due to the presence of Naval Station Ingleside (NSI). The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Act identified NSI as a military installation to be closed by 2010. The base's closure would bring substantial change to the economic vitality of the City and region, as approximately 7,000 directly and indirectly involved jobs would be lost.

 

The Ingleside Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) was created to mitigate the local and regional impacts resulting from the Base closing.  Through a federal grant, the LRA led an effort to identify opportunities to diversify the regional economic base. The LRA was also charged with studying the redevelopment  options for the 155-acre Electromagnetic Reduction (EMR) facility site that the Navy would later vacate. 

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RKG Associates was retained by the LRA to conduct a three-part study that would address economic shifts caused by the Base closure.  An economic diversification study was prepared to analyze the region’s current employment base, identify workforce characteristics and develop a target industry implementation plan that complements local strengths while diversifying the economic base.  In addition, a redevelopment plan for the surplus Naval property and a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) homeless submission report were also prepared. 

 

The implementation strategy identified specific opportunities for coordination between the private sector and educational institutions to recruit and retain new employers. The redevelopment plan utilized elements of the diversification strategy to provide recommendations for future use of the EMR facility, including industrial uses like boat manufacturing and other marine-related industries. 

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After the project's conclusion, its success led to RKG Associates being rehired as the LRA transitioned into an implementation-focused organization.  RKG worked to further develop an Economic Development Conveyance application (business plan) and to assist the LRA with the land transfer process.