Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that U.S. military bases in the state contributed at least $114.1 billion to the Texas economy in 2021 and supported more than 622,000 jobs across the state.
A study conducted by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts at the request of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC) determined the economic impact of Texas’ military bases.
Gov. Abbott said he is proud that 15 military bases and the U.S. Army Futures Command call Texas home.
“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,” said Gov. Abbott.
“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,” Gov. Abbott added.
The economic impact study was released as part of the biennial TMPC report. The report to the Governor identifies the strengths of Texas’ military installations, 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 the state.”
The most impactful military installation in the state is Joint Base San Antonio, which consists of Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, and Randolph Air Force Base. The joint base had an estimated economic contribution of $39.2 billion and supported 211,213 jobs.
Fort Hood in Killeen was the second most impactful, with a $28.9 billion estimated economic contribution and 160,933 jobs supported. Fort Bliss in El Paso contributed the third most with an estimated $22.9 billion economic impact and 120,799 jobs supported.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston contributed an estimated $218 million and supported 1,203 jobs. While in the North Texas area, the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth contributed an estimated $2.7 billion and supported 15,164 jobs.
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said the economic impact of all the bases was “tremendous” but noted that their importance “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,” Hegar said.
