Study: Fort Hood boosts Texas economy

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Fort Hood, long billed as the largest Army post in the Free Word, is also a large economic driver for the state of Texas.

That's the finding of a study released Thursday by state Comptroller Susan Combs, which concludes that the military installation 100 miles north of Austin pumped $25.3 billion into the Texas last year.

“Fort Hood’s importance to Texas goes beyond the significant role it plays in our nation’s security,” Combs said. “Fort Hood is an economic engine that helps growth in Texas.:

She said that projects on and around the post help bring investment and jobs to Central Texas.

According to the analysis, nearly 70,000 jobs were directly attributed to Fort Hood operations in 2011, up from about 67,000 jobs in four years before. Employees at Fort Hood consist of active duty military, federal civilian workers, contract personnel and Killeen Independent School District workers.

In addition, there are about 80,000 family members supported by these jobs. Fort Hood was indirectly responsible for an additional 214,344 jobs throughout the state.

In terms of payroll, Fort Hood paid its active duty military personnel and civilian workers more than $3.14 billion in fiscal 2011. It paid more than $514 million to its contractors and more than $3.86 billion to veteran retirees.

The following direct expenses were attributed to Fort Hood in fiscal 2011:

   • More than $1.4 billion for construction and utility payments,
   • More than $137 million for travel expenses, and,
   • More than $75 million on federal aid to area school districts.