ADVISORY/Media Advisory from San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp.

News Editors/Assignment Desks

ADVISORY...for Wednesday (April 23)

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2003

    2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Process Briefing

    What it means for the San Diego region and how the region can
    prepare to tackle the issue

    CONTACT:   Andrea Moser, office: 619/234-8484, cell: 858/395-9502

    WHAT:      Initial report from Bill Cassidy, former deputy
               assistant secretary of the Navy in charge of base
               closure, and San Diego region consultant for 2005 BRAC.

    SPECIFICS: Wednesday, April 23, 2003
               7:30 a.m. -- 9:15 a.m.
               DoubleTree Hotel, Mission Valley
               7450 Hazard Center Drive

               7:30 a.m. Registration
               8:05 a.m. Program
               9:15 a.m. Media Availability

    BACKGROUND:

               The Department of Defense estimates there is still a 25
               percent excess in military infrastructure despite base
               closures in 1988, 1991, 1993 and 1995. San Diego has 12
               bases/activities that will be subject to scrutiny for
               possible closure, including Marine Corps Base Camp
               Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and Naval
               Air Station North Island. Approximately one-third of
               the nation's Navy and Marine operations are based in
               San Diego. These operations contribute $16 billion to
               the local economy and represent 20% of local
               employment.