PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF SAN ANTONIO

SAN ANTONIO,TEXAS (November 28, 2007) The United States Department of Defense's economic impact in San Antonio for 2006 was over $13.2 billion according to the latest study commissioned by the Military Transformation Task Force and undertaken by the City of San Antonio's Economic Development Department.

"The study's findings are significant and demonstrate the profound economic impact the US Department of Defense has on our community," said Robert Murdock, Director of the Office of Military Affairs.

The study found that the US Department of Defense is the largest generator of employment in the San Antonio metropolitan area supporting 195,075 people with employment at the local bases estimated at 68,659.

Moreover, the US Department of Defense generates the highest earnings of all industries in San Antonio. Earnings for 2006 were over $9 billion and the bases alone generated earnings of nearly $4 billion. Spending of civilian and military personnel supported earnings of over $1.6 billion in other industries, while San Antonio based Department of Defense contractors employ 44,424 people in San Antonio and realized earnings of over $1.6 billion.

Military retirees, nearly 48,000, provide a crucial stabilizing force to the local economy. Military retirees and their beneficiaries support the employment of more than 26,000 people. In addition, direct and transfer payments to retirees is estimated at more than $1.2 billion annually.

The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 impact on the community will be seismic, and will be the largest economic development project in San Antonio's history. San Antonio is expected to receive over 4,000 personnel, 5,500 new families and $2.1 billion in construction. Through 2011, BRAC will have an economic impact of $5.6 billion and support employment of over 46,000. After 2011, BRAC's impact will lead to the employment of over 6,000 additional people, provide an additional $621 million economic impact, and increase earnings by over $500 million.