This investment was about the same as the total assessed property value for the existing city and would nearly double the local population. The magnitude of the Army’s decision was grandiose and audacious: a $30 million contract to house 30,000 soldiers, to be built within 6 months. Army announced on January 6, 1942, that they would establish an Army training camp just south of the city. Land incentives and the efforts of the boosters were successful-the U.S.
A tightly-knit campaign from a determined group of city businessmen promoted Colorado Springs to politicians and military brass for a new military installation. World War II brought a rapid increase in industrial production of war machinery and the inscription and training of troops.
