Nellis economic impact surpasses $5 billion in fiscal 2008 Published March 10, 2009 By Charles Ramey NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The U.S. Air Force released its annual economic impact analysis figures March 5, showing that Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases contributed more than $5 billion to the Southern Nevada economy in fiscal year 2008. The report, prepared by the 99th Comptroller Squadron, covers Oct. 1, 2007 through Sept. 30, 2008 and shows a four percent, $208.6 million increase over the same period as the year prior. According to the report, in fiscal 2008: - Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases were the second-largest employer in Clark County with nearly 13,000 active-duty military, Air National Guard, Reserve, and civilian employees with a payroll of $921.8 million. - Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases non-payroll expenditures for materials, equipment, supplies, services and construction within Southern Nevada totaled more than $3.1 billion. - On any given day in fiscal 2008, approximately 1,340 personnel were on temporary duty at Nellis or Creech Air Force Bases, accounting for a $224.1 million local economic impact. - More than 27,600 military retirees resided throughout Southern Nevada in fiscal 2008 with a payroll of $597.9 million. - Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases accounted for the creation of nearly 5,700 indirect jobs resulting in an estimated annual value of $218.4 million. - Aviation Nation 2007--the Nellis AFB Open House-Las Vegas Air Show, brought more than 19,000 out-of-town visitors to Las Vegas and created an estimated $17.8 million economic impact. "Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases have played important roles in southern Nevada since the early 1940s," said Col. Dave Belote, 99th Air Base Wing commander. "While Nellis has long been the leader in advanced combat testing, tactics and training, Creech has become pivotal in the War on Terror, operating via satellite link the Predator and Reaper unmanned aircraft systems currently flown over Iraq and Afghanistan. "As we have continued to grow and develop to stay on the cutting edge of air, space, and cyberspace, our economic impact has increased correspondingly," Colonel Belote continued. "We're a high-tech campus on the northern edge of the Las Vegas valley and we bring recession-proof dollars. Our local community is of central importance and without their support we would not be able to accomplish our mission." Editor's Note: A complete copy of the Fiscal 2008 Economic Impact Analysis is available at the following link: www.nellis.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090310-034.pdf
