JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The economic impact analysis for the fiscal year 2018 has been released and the data shows just how much Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is impacting the local area in a positive way.
The total economic impact generated from JBLE for 2018 was $2.9 billion, and the number of indirect jobs created was 13,989.
“We bring so much to the local economy here, directly and indirectly,” said U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Marina Lopez, 633rd Comptroller Squadron financial analysis deputy flight commander. “We have a great impact on the area.”
It’s not just the personnel here on JBLE that contribute to the local economy, but also their dependents, retirees and even those assigned to temporary duty locations.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the unemployment rate for the Hampton Roads area was 3.4% in March 2019, lower than the national average of 3.8% during that same time frame.
Lopez explained the economic impact analysis is also used to show how the local community is affected when our people and mission change.
It is inevitable that JBLE and the Hampton Roads community impact each other on a day-to-day basis. When reports like the economic impact analysis come out, it shows how both sides work in unison to help accomplish the mission.
“As a joint military force we are here to help,” Lopez said. “We are thankful and incredibly grateful the local community opens up their arms and accepts us and allows us to be a part of their community, even if it’s just for a few years at a time.”