This week’s column was written by staff writer Don Worthington.

Add one more number to the  list of successful, homegrown  military contractors.

K3 Enterprises is about to outgrow its space at the Defense & Security Technology Accelerator in downtown Fayetteville. Brian  Kent, a retired officer skilled in  the way of military contracts, started K3 Enterprises in 2005 with three employees. The firm was one of the first to move into the technology accelerator in January 2007.

The firm now has more than 28 employees and is looking to buy property for a new headquarters.

K3 Enterprises consults on communication and military intelligence matters. It uses geo- spatial analysis to overlay data on maps. Its clients include the U.S. Special Operations Command, several geographic commands such as Centcom, and other defense related industries.

Consulting firms are a big part of the BRAC story.

The BRAC Regional Task Force estimates there are more than 3,600 contractors who work directly with U.S. Army Forces Command and Reserve Command.

Many more contractors could  come to the area. One scenario predicts 1,000. Another scenario predicts 2,000.

Many of these contractors will rent space off base. Some may be large operations, but most will be firms with fewer employees.

Others may come on the speculation of getting business. They should find a friendly hand.

The Military Business Center and the Defense and Security Technology Accelerator were created to assist people with the military contracting process and to grow firms that have a great idea and need help turning  that idea into reality.

The hope is K3’s success will be the first of many for the technology accelerator.