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Grissom’s 2021 economic impact listed at $155 million

  • Published
  • By Douglas Hays
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
When it comes to making an impression, $155 million will do just that!

That was Grissom’s economic impact for fiscal year 2021 for the base located in both Miami and Cass counties.

“The impact Grissom has financially on this area is substantial,” said Col. Thom Pemberton, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander. “However, the positive impact the our base employees make is substantial as well.”

The annual economic impact report is done annually by comptrollers and is done within specific parameters to ensure that every installation is collecting the same data in the same way.

Grissom is the largest employer in Miami County.
Salaries for active, active guard and reserve, as well as traditional reservists total about $41 million.

When you combine that with civilian payroll you get total of more than $97 million going directly into the economy.
Those wages don’t just stay on the base.

“We have people travelling from all over the country, and when they are here, they are spending money locally,” Pemberton said.

Indirectly, the number of military and civilians, are credited for creating about 350 jobs in the area generating an estimated $47 million.

“When you add the $97 million in payroll with the $47 million from the indirect output of that payroll and sprinkle in combined expenditures of more than $11 million from both direct and indirect sources, you get the $155 million economic impact to the area,” said Chris Vander Does, Grissom comptroller.

“If the monetary amount stood by itself, it would be impressive,” said Pemberton. “But it doesn’t stand by itself. Just ask the countless people our fire department saved through mutual aid.

“Our members, have children and grandchildren that go to school in the community. We have members who coach, who teach, who serve and protect when not in their Air Force uniform. We make more than just a financial impact.

The Department of Defense and Treasury have guidelines on how units can track money for economic analysis purposes. Analyses conducted by the Air Force represent only first and second tier indicators as only salaries and direct costs of labor and construction are measured.

“We think Grissom will continue to prosper and be an economic boost to the area for years to come,” Pemberton said. “We value our role, and are proud to be members of this community.”

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. The Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Douglas Hays
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Josh Weaver
Public affairs operations chief

Master Sgt. Josh Weaver
NCOIC of public affairs

Master Sgt. Rachel Barton
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Alexis Morris
Staff writer

Airman 1st Class Elise Faurote
Staff writer