Camp Merrill's cadre and their families live in the community. That won't change. The Army does a lot of business with the local community with an estimated economic impact of $9,235,266 annually.

Camp Merrill is home to the 5th Ranger Training Battalion - with Porter Village about 12 miles away in the city of Dahlonega. Douglass said the Army built 40 houses at Porter Village in 1995.

Lt. Col. Nathan E. Showman was suspended Jan. 26 from his position as commander of the 5th Ranger Training Battalion at Camp Merrill in Dahlonega, Georgia, according to a service spokesperson.