Report: MacDill’s economic impact jumps in Tampa area

The Tampa Tribune / TBO.com

Military News

---

TAMPA — The economic impact of MacDill Air Force Base, including military retirees and spouses living within 50 miles, was $4.7 billion in fiscal 2014, a jump of $1.3 billion in two years, according to the 6th Air Mobility Wing, the base host unit.

On Wednesday, the base released a fiscal 2014 financial impact statement showing it pumped $2.94 billion into the local economy in fiscal 2014, compared to $2.3 billion in fiscal 2012. These direct economic impact numbers include total payroll, local expenditures and local job creation.

But the biggest reason for the overall jump was the payroll of military retirees and their spouses, which is not included in the direct economic impact numbers. This category increased by $660 million over the period.

The total payroll of military retirees and spouses living within 50 miles of the base was $1.76 billion in fiscal 2014, compared to $1.1 billion 2012.

Local Congress members welcomed news of Macdill’s growing impact on the region’s economy.

“This economic impact statement is a testament to the great work that our service members and Department of Defense civilians do every day on MacDill Air Force Base for our nation and the Greater Tampa Bay area,” said U.S. Rep David Jolly, the Indian Shores Republican.

“Clearly, MacDill remains a vital economic driver and a source of good paying jobs,” said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, the Tampa Democrat, pointing to Macdill’s role as home to U.S. Central Command, overseeing U.S. military operations in the Middle East, and U.S. Special Operations Command, which synchronizes the global war on terror, and two Air Force refueling wings.

In addition, Macdill hosts dozens of other partners.

The biggest change in the direct economic impact of the base was a $320 million boost in the value of jobs it created, according to the report.

In fiscal 2014, the base said it created more than 24,000 jobs, with an average annual salary of $46,748. That represents an impact of $1.14 billion.

In fiscal 2012, the base said it created more than 18,000 jobs, with an average annual salary of $44,876. That represents an impact of $820 billion.

The next biggest change came in the total payroll of the base, which grew to $1.07 billion in fiscal 2014 from $853 million in 2012, an increase of $217 million.

And total local expenditures — including military construction, service contracts, the commissary, education and other line items — grew to $729 million in fiscal 2014 from $587 million in fiscal 2012, an increase of $142 million.

The 2014 report says there were more than 73,000 military retirees and spouses living in the area. The 2012 report does not list a comparable figure.

About 18,000 active duty service members and civilians worked at MacDill in 2014.

Military retiree data is not traditionally included in Air Force economic impact statements, according to the release. But because MacDill’s retiree community also contributes significantly to the Tampa Bay area, its data is included separately in the report.

Stay with TBO.com for updates.