McChord Field is a USAF base in in Pierce County, Washington, USA. McChord Field is the home of the 62d Airlift Wing, Air Mobility Command.
Joint Base Lewis McChord IS CRITICAL FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates and Director of Thurston Chamber’s Public Policy Division
Almost all of us in Thurston County are aware of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) located between Thurston and Pierce County. Fewer of us are aware of the substantial economic impact JBLM plays in the region, according to a recent survey. The South Sound Military and Communities Partnership, or SSMCP, recently reported findings from a new economic impact study and survey of businesses. The report confirmed that JBLM is a regional powerhouse for our region’s economy. The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be part of SSMCP and joins the other jurisdictions, such as the cities of Lakewood, Lacey, Dupont, Yelm and Thurston and Pierce counties to provide regional leadership to bridge our military and civilian communities. JBLM is located along Interstate-5 and between Pierce and Thurston Counties. The 70,000-acre active military base is home to the Army’s I Corps, the Air Force’s 62nd Airlift wing and several
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reserve components. The updated SSMCP study found that JBLM contributes over 83,500 jobs (FTEs) to the Pierce/Thurston region. These jobs and retired personnel bring in more than $8.25 billion in salaries/wages/ pensions to the area. The updated study, conducted with assistance from the Thurston Economic Development Council, estimates that the combined total gross economic impact to the region is over $12 billion.
Washington – Tacoma, reached out to area businesses and members to assess perceptions of JBLM. Survey respondents overwhelmingly saw JBLM as positive for the region. Negative impacts were associated with “traffic,” and this is something that SSMCP and the region’s policymakers are continually working on to improve.
SSMCP, with assistance from the Thurston and Pierce County Chambers of Commerce and the University of
More than half of respondents where from Thurston County. The survey found that about 58 percent of
Researchers surveyed businesses and members between December 2019 and January 2020. Over 56 percent were In addition to the private sector impacts, business leaders, managers or owners. JBLM contributes an estimated $387 Of these, 34 percent had some prior million in state and local tax revenue. affiliation with JBLM.
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