Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Skip navigation
Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Skip navigation
Top navigation skipped

economy

Laughlin Air Force Base Economic Impact on the Texas Economy, 2021

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts estimates the population directly affiliated with Laughlin Air Force Base, located just east of Del Rio, contributed at least $1.5 billion to the Texas economy in 2021.[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 (Exhibit 1).[2]

Exhibit 1
Estimated Total Contribution of
Laughlin Air Force Base to the Texas Economy, 2021
Contribution Value
Total direct employment 3,290
Total employment (direct & indirect)[3] 8,694
Output[4] $1,592,240,000
Gross domestic product[5] $946,857,000
Disposable personal income[6] $595,740,000

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 Air Force Base 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.


Appendix

The following data were provided by Laughlin Air Force Base.

Laughlin AFB occupies a total of 5,347 acres.


Employment and Other Populations
Description Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
FULL-TIME DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Active Duty Army 0
Active Duty Navy & Marines 0
Active Duty Air Force 1,294
Active Duty Coast Guard 0
Active Duty National Guard/Reserve 63
FULL-TIME CIVILIAN PERSONNEL
Appropriated 1,011
Non-Appropriated 139
PART-TIME DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Army Reserve 0
Navy & Marines Reserve 0
Air Force Reserve 0
Coast Guard Reserve 0
PART-TIME CIVILIAN PERSONNEL
Appropriated 0
Non-Appropriated 33
OTHER
Contractors, Total (staff) 247
Full Time Employees Not Listed Elsewhere 0
Average Daily Student Load 503
Total Direct Employment 3,290
OTHER POPULATIONS
Number of Dependents 1,190
Number Attending On-installation Schools 140
Number Attending Off-installation Schools 206
Military retirees accessing station/base/post/camp facilities or resources (e.g. hospitals, PXs, exchanges, etc.) 0

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 Daniel S. Rubio, Capt., USAF, Chief-Public Affairs, Laughlin Air Force Base, to Alexandra Taylor, Texas Military Preparedness Commission, April 21, 2022; and additional clarification interviews.
  2. Estimate inputs and assumptions include the following: (1) all data submitted are for 2021; (2) input includes full-time, permanent employees and a full-time equivalent (FTE) for any part-time employees; (3) dependents are associated with Laughlin Air Force Base only; (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.