Topeka ? The Army plans to create a new infantry brigade and place it at Fort Riley, adding 3,400 new soldiers to the post at least temporarily. The soldiers are expected to start arriving after October 2005.

Maj. Jeff Buczkowski, spokesman for Fort Riley, said Monday that the brigade would be part of the 25th Infantry Division headquartered in Hawaii. The new brigade will join the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Brigade of the 1st Armored Division and 937th Engineer Group at Fort Riley.

“This is big news, even if it’s a few years down the road,” Buczkowski said.

The addition is part of efforts by the Army to expand its troop strength by some 30,000 soldiers, by retaining those eligible to leave the service or by recruiting new soldiers. The Army’s plans are expected to increase the number of brigades to 43 from the present 33.

Under plans announced Friday by the Army, each of its 10 divisions will add a brigade. The brigades will contain capabilities previously found at the division level, such as artillery and mechanized infantry.

The changes will allow the Army to deploy elements of each division, depending on the needs of the specific mission.

The troops are coming from a temporary increase in the size of the Army. Despite all the growth, officials say ultimately the Army won’t be much larger than its permanent authorized strength because the reorganization will cut down on the number of unassigned personnel who are in transit between jobs and assignments.

After the Army announced its plans last week, Sen. Pat Roberts, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the decision to include Fort Riley among the bases receiving more soldiers “reflects their confidence in Fort Riley’s ability to fulfill future missions.”

Buczkowski said the new soldiers are, for now, considered temporarily assigned to Fort Riley. The 2005 base realignment and closure process could change the new brigade’s home post.

Buczkowski said the post could house the new soldiers in existing space.

“It’s good for the communities, good for the viability of Fort Riley,” he said.

State and military officials estimate that military installations and reserve units pump $2 billion into the Kansas economy each year, including more than $800 million alone from Fort Riley.

Connie Hall, the executive director of the Geary County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the addition of a brigade at Fort Riley is good news for local retailers and other merchants and for the state as well.

“We’re very excited,” Hall said. “This will be just really good for the local economy, and for the state of Kansas as well.”