economy

Fort Cavazos Economic Impact, 2023

Background

Fort Cavazos, established in 1942 near Killeen, is home to the III Armored Corps, which plays a critical role in global deployment and Multi-Domain Operations aimed at deterring and defeating adversaries while supporting Combat Command Operations to achieve national objectives.¹ This base hosts several major commands integral to the operations and strategy of the U.S. Army Forces Command. The III Armored Corps 1st Cavalry Division is equipped to provide scalable, combat-ready forces that are capable of conducting unified land operations anywhere in the world on short notice, catering to a range of mission requirements with the ability to function as an expeditionary division or joint task force headquarters. Additionally, the First Army Division West is responsible for the training readiness oversight and mobilization of designated active and reserve component forces, ensuring they are prepared to support regional combatant commanders. The 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command branch housed at Fort Cavazos oversees sustainment, distribution and theater opening as well as the reception, staging and onward movement of forces in operation theaters, enhancing unified land operations. Lastly, the U.S. Army Operational Test Command branch carries out independent operational testing, crucial for informing acquisition and fielding decisions concerning U.S. Army and selected multi-service warfighting systems.

Fort Cavazos has established several intergovernmental support agreements that include fare-free mass transit services, routine pavement maintenance, stray animal services and water delivery and wastewater treatment services. These community partnerships are supplemented by a Career Skills Program with nationwide companies and numerous local mutual aid agreements focusing on emergency management, airfield maintenance and safety, for which it has received several Department of the Army Community Partnership Awards.

Economic Impact

The Comptroller’s office and the Texas Military Preparedness Commission collected economic data from each of the state’s 14 U.S. military installations. These data were collected 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 (Exhibits 1 and 2).²

As of 2023, Fort Cavazos is home to 59,695 direct employees, of which 38,642 are active-duty military personnel. This base also has nearly 142,000 military retirees accessing the installation, camp facilities and resources. The Comptroller’s office estimates the population directly affiliated with Fort Cavazos contributed at least $39 billion to the Texas economy in 2023.³

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