Base has billion-dollar impact

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Naval Air Station Pensacola had a $1.15 billion economic impact on local communities, according to an impact report. The base employed more than 21,000 military, civilian and contract employees in 2008. The military's economic impact was almost $39 million higher than in 2007. The report combined salaries for military, civilian and contract personnel along with local contract spending to reach the total. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 01/26/09) Other bases in the region include NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Fla., Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field near Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss. The Navy is also the largest tenant at Stennis Space Center, Miss.