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Kelly Hancock
Acting Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Kelly Hancock
Acting Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Kelly Hancock
Acting Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
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Laughlin Air Force Base Economic Impact on the Texas Economy, 2019

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts estimates the population directly affiliated with Laughlin Air Force Base (AFB) contributed at least $2 billion to the Texas economy in 2019.1

Working with the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, the Comptroller’s office collected data from each of the state’s 14 U.S. military installations using a survey designed to ensure consistency in determining the total direct and indirect contribution of the base’s populations to state-level employment, gross domestic product, output and disposable personal income.2

Estimated Contribution of Laughlin AFB to the Texas Economy, 2019
Contribution Value
Total direct employment 3,961
Total employment 3 10,201
Output 4 $2,032,980,000
Gross domestic product 5 $1,237,670,000
Disposable personal income 6 $612,849,000

Source: Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI) - model for Texas

The Comptroller’s economic impact analysis represents a conservative estimate of the economic importance of Laughlin AFB to Texas. Each installation’s distinctive characteristics contribute to the Texas economy in different ways. This analysis uses a consistent model to determine the economic impact of each of the state’s military installations to the state’s economic growth.

Laughlin Air Force Base

561 Liberty Drive
Laughlin AFB,Texas 78843

Installation Total Size (acreage - as reported): 4,764 acres

Employment
Description Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
FULL-TIME DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Active Duty Army 0
Active Duty Navy & Marines 0
Active Duty Air Force 1,405
Active Duty Coast Guard 0
Active Duty National Guard 134
Civilian Personnel Appropriated 850
Civilian Personnel Non-Appropriated 150
PART-TIME DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Army Reserve 0
Navy Reserve 0
Air Force Reserve 112
Coast Guard Reserve 0
Part-time Civilian Personnel Appropriated 0
Part-time Civilian Personnel Non-Appropriated 0
OTHER
Civilian Contractors, Total (staff) 342
Other Full-time Employees (not listed elsewhere) 0
Average Daily Student Load 968
Total Direct Employment 3,961

Other Populations
Description Number
Dependents 550
On-installation School Attendance 204
Off-installation School Attendance 74
Military retirees accessing station/base/post/camp facilities or resources (e.g. hospitals, PXs, exchanges, etc.) 0

Source: Laughlin AFB

End Notes

  1. This study represents an analysis of the economic impact of the population and employees directly affiliated with the base. This includes active duty, visiting, and other military personnel, dependents, civilian employees and contractors directly affiliated with the base – as reported in documents emailed from Joel Langton, 47th Flying Training Wing Chief of Community and Media Relations, Laughlin AFB, to Alexandra Taylor, Texas Military Preparedness Commission, April 14, 2020; and additional clarification interviews.
  2. Estimate inputs and assumptions include the following: (1) all data submitted is for 2019; (2) input includes full-time, permanent employees and a full-time equivalent (FTE) for any part-time employees; (3) dependents are associated with Laughlin AFB; (4) all economic impact is within Texas.
  3. “Total employment” refers to both direct and indirect employment.
  4. “Output” refers to the total value of all goods and services (both final and intermediate) produced in Texas.
  5. “Gross domestic product” refers to the total value of all final goods and services produced in Texas.
  6. “Disposable personal income” refers to post-income-tax income.

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