JBLM has significant economic impact

The Thurston Economic Development Council  has finished a white paper that provides a snapshot of the economic impact of Joint Base Lewis McChord in Thurston County and Lacey.

According to the white paper,  5,065 JBLM jobs supports the employment of 1,165 additional workers in Lacey.   JBLM personnel residing in Lacey account for an annual payroll of $216 million which generates another $50 million in economic activity.   Approximately $4 million a month in monthly rental is generated by JBLM personnel.

Some $4.5 million in non-construction contracts were awarded to Lacey-based small businesses from JBLM  from 2011 until February 2013.

It’s anticipated that 6,500 active duty military will separate annually from the service and that 40 percent of them plan to remain in the local area. More than two-thirds of these veterans are of workforce age and 80 percent of them have attended college.

Some 5,000 children of military and military spouses attend school in Lacey.