EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – According to a study from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analyzing the impact on the state’s economy of the U.S. military installations within Texas contributed at least $114.1 billion to the Texas economy in 2021 and supported more than 622,790 jobs in communities across the state.

Here in El Paso, that number was $22.9 million worth of economic impact with nearly 122,000 direct and indirect jobs provided.

The study, announced Wednesday by Governor Greg Abbott, was put together at the request of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC) to visualize the impact on the state’s economy.

“Texas is the proud home to 15 military installations and the U.S. Army Futures Command…Not only are these military installations critical for the defense of our nation, they support more than 622,790 jobs in communities across this great state. Many are the largest employer in their area; all are key drivers for both the local and state economies. Serving military families are integral members of their hometown communities, and the strong and long military-community partnerships continue to provide economic stability and essential support for civic and community programs. I will continue to work with the Texas Legislature and TMPC to ensure that military installations in Texas keep adding unmatched value for our nation.”

Governor Greg Abbott

Officials share that the economic impact study was released as part of the 2021─2022 Texas Military Preparedness Commission Report produced biennially by TMPC to report to the Governor on the strengths of the military installations in Texas and opportunities to grow current missions, attract new missions, and increase the military value of those installations to aid in the nation’s defense and support essential military-community partnerships in Texas

“It is amazing to see the tremendous economic impact these military installations have in Texas…the importance of these bases reaches far beyond direct jobs and personal income. The facilities, and the men and women who work and are stationed at them, form the backbone of communities and support countless businesses and induced jobs throughout the state. Thank you to the TMPC and Governor Abbott for collaborating on this and for highlighting the critical economic contribution of these installations. My office is proud to contribute to this effort.”

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar

Estimated Contribution of U.S. Military Installations to the Texas Economy, 2021

Total direct jobs235,184
Total employment (direct and indirect jobs)622,790
Economic output$114,192,719,000

Estimated Contribution of U.S. Military Installations in Texas, 2021

InstallationDirect and Indirect JobsEconomic Impact
Army Futures Command, Austin2,201$371 million
Corpus Christi Army Depot, Corpus Christi9,344$1.4 billion
Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene16,098$3.0 billion
Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Houston1,203$218 million
Fort Bliss, El Paso120,799$22.9 million
Fort Hood, Killeen160,933$28.9 million
Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo23,897$4.7 billion
Joint Base San Antonio, San Antonio: Fort Sam Houston; Lackland Air Force Base; Randolph Air Force Base211,213$39.2 billion
Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio8,694$1.6 billion
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi19,815$3.4 billion
Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth15,164$2.7 billion
Naval Air Station Kingsville, Kingsville4,442$752 million
Red River Army Depot, Texarkana9,059$1.3 billion
Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls19,928$3.7 billion
   

Officials added that the Comptroller’s study represents an “analysis of the economic impact of the population and employees directly affiliated with the military installations in Texas. This includes active duty, visiting and other military personnel, dependents, civilian employees, and contractors directly affiliated with the base. Total employment includes direct and indirect jobs.” 

The Texas Military Preparedness Commission within the Office of the Governor advises the Governor and the Legislature on defense and military issues and on ways to strengthen the position of Texas military installations in preparation for any future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC).

The commission is composed of 13 members serving six-year staggered terms, typically representing an installation in their community. 

The full report may be viewed here: gov.texas.gov/organization/military/reports

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