Columbus AFB FY2009 Economic Impact Report released

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Columbus AFB's officials released the FY2009 Economic Impact Report at the Base Community Council meeting held here Aug. 6.

The base, according to the report, generated $287 million in economic impact, an increase of $29 million in comparison to the FY2008 EIR, showing increases in two major categories: Annual Expenditures and Payroll.

"I am very pleased that we were able to increase the bases' economic contributions to the local area (in 2009)," said 14th Flying Training Wing Commander Col. Barre Seguin. "In relatively difficult economic times, it's great to know the base is making such a positive impact on the area economy."

In FY2009, the 3,271 Columbus AFB personnel received a payroll of $120 million. The FY2009 EIR reported that 1,096 indirect jobs were generated to support the base personnel.

"Indirect jobs are jobs created outside the gates of Columbus AFB to support Columbus personnel," Colonel Seguin said. "For example, this means one more waiter or waitress at a local restaurant or cashier at a local retail store."

The $127 million in Annual Expenditures constituted the majority of the base's economic impact. Annual Expenditures include construction, contracts, supplies, equipment and healthcare.

Colonel Seguin said that continued improvements on the base, such as the construction of the $6.5 million Child Development Center that is almost completed, are essential to keeping Columbus AFB a premier training environment. The new CDC is the first Headquarters Air Force funded military construction project in 13 years, and part of the $29 million in FY2009 construction.

"Columbus AFB has a sizeable number of construction projects on-going, which creates jobs and demand for local resources and supplies," said Maj. Jennifer Varga, 14th Comptroller Squadron commander.