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Date: 11/3/2017
WESTOVER ARB – The economic impact made by Westover Air Reserve Base is on the upswing, despite the fact that there was a decrease of $1.6 million in payroll in 2016.
What contributed to the growth last year was $12 million in construction projects.
In fiscal year 2017, the 439th Airwing added $212 million to the region’s economy. The wing impacted communities within a 50-mile radius with an economic impact of $212,534,218 from Oct. 1, 2016 to Sept. 30, 2017. In fiscal year 2016, the base's economic impact was $197,257,006.
“The $15 million increase speaks to Westover’s continued economic influence in the Pioneer Valley,” said Col. D. Scott Durham, 439th Airlift Wing commander. “Though military budgets have decreased in recent years, our base continues its relevance as a key strategic partner within the Department of Defense. Closer to home, this installation is a stable employer and economic engine in western Massachusetts.”
SMSgt. Andrew S. Biscoe, acting chief, 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs told Reminder Publications, “One of the most visible parts of the construction is the renovation of the 1940-era Base Hangar. It is a centerpiece of the base and is getting a major renovation. It doesn’t house any aircraft for maintenance any longer, but it is the hub of our operations for our aircrews. The $15 million increase in the economic impact was driven by $12 million in new construction. The Base Hangar re-do is a major part of it.”
According to the report:
• “Construction and related expenditures increased $12 million, due to facility project funding, according to Deborah Heady, Westover budget analyst.
• “The base saw a decrease of $1.6 million in payroll last year, due in part to a decrease in Air Force civilian employees working at the base, Heady said. Fewer military members were deployed in fiscal 2017 and the Air Force reduced some civilian manning numbers.
• “There was a $500,000 decrease in the estimated value of jobs created in fiscal 2017 primarily as a result of a decrease in civilian, military and non-appropriated fund salaries.
• “The total number of base employees – active duty, reserve, and civilians – decreased from 3,371 in 2016 to 3,284 in 2017.”
Previous year’s economic impacts were influenced by the number of civilian employees at the base and deployments: 2015: $221,175,721; 2014: $220,856,889; 2012: $237,936,751; and 2011: $237,568,913
The economic figures and personnel counts do not include the base’s 28 tenant units, which include ten Army units, three Marine units, and a Military Entrance Processing Station, which together employ about 1,700 people, mainly reservists.