Economic Impact of Minot AFB | Video

Amy Fox | 2/7/2013

Even though Minot Air Force Base is its own community, it has a huge impact on Minot’s economy. Thousands of airmen and civilians work and live on the base, but a lot of their money flows into Minot.

Situated 13 miles north of Minot, the Air Force Base is home to over 12,000 active airmen, civilians, and military families.

“They have a huge impact,” said Minot Staybridge Suites General Manager David Bussard. “It`s not within five miles or seven miles, it’s in the whole state of North Dakota. But, locally, within our community, it does a lot of great things for us."

Today, the Military Affairs Committee announced the 2012 Economic Impact Analysis as of September of 2012. And, it`s good news for Minot. The base brought in a little more than $522 million. This includes everything from jobs and payroll to housing and even new construction.

"We presented the highest impact the base has had up to date so far," said Major Jorge Jimenez, Minot AFB Controller and Commander.

These numbers not only have a significant impact on the base, they also have a ripple effect on businesses, like the Staybridge Suites.

Bussard said, "There are businesses that do business on base, and we have construction folks that help out. We do have airmen and women that stay with us and several that come in and work with the Air Force out there."

As Minot continues to grow, the Air Force looks forward to continuing to build up their relationships with local officials and businesses for years to come.

"We support each other,” said Maj. Jimenez. “The bigger the community, the more events that happen off base and that impacts the moral of the people on base.”

"It definitely helps Minot and the surrounding area. The base has been good for Minot and it`s been a great partnership between both the community and base," said Bussard.

Due to the rising costs, the biggest increase in the 2012 Economic Impact Analysis was the 40 percent increase in housing.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO MINOT STORIES