Cover Story: The Department of Defense’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process responds to the changing needs of the U.S. Military. This often means that some military communities will expand or decrease. During the 2005 BRAC announcements, many military communities in the Fifth Federal Reserve District were slated for growth. These localities will have to consider community development issues such as affordable housing, infrastructure and education. This article gives an overview of the BRAC process, dentifies resources for growth communities and points out the importance of stakeholder involvement.

Cover Story: The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides a refundable tax credit to lower income working families. An EITC expert discusses the current state of the tax credit program, focusing on three current challenges that weaken the effectiveness of EITC programs. The article also includes brief summaries of innovative programs that Fifth District and national organizations have developed to address these challenges.