Duluth, MN (Northlands NewsCenter) -- It's a new way of doing business for US Air force and it's about to have a big impact on the city of Duluth.
With the 148th fighter wing receiving Active Association designation, city leaders are now focused on how to capitalize on the potential rapid growth.
With the 148th a staple in the region for armed services, expansion has been a long range goal for many including Minnesota Senator Al Franken.
"We do want the numbers of our armed forces spending their money in the community. We want to encourage local communities to benefit from bases that are in our local communities."
Active Association was strongly desired for the 148th because it allows its service people to spend their salaries on goods outside of the base. It's a situation that currently exists on only a handful of bases in the country. Dave Ross, President of the Duluth Chamber, is excited about the prospect of having food, clothing, and real estate prosper and continue.
"When they leave that base at night if they're lucky enough to do that, they go back to within our community, to within our neighborhoods if not within our homes so it's a very positive thing. It's a strong economic engine for our community."
Federal Health benefits will feed directly into the regions health-care facilities and various construction companies may be called upon for future expansion to the 148th. Major Audra Flanagan says the current 46 million dollars in military payroll and 3.2 million dollars in private sector earnings may have a sizable increase once active duty members file into Duluth.
"Another thing, our current economic impact is right around 93 million every year. A lot of which is salaries that go right into the community, both the military and civilian salaries. So that will boost that economic impact. The amount is yet to be determined but we think it could be 4.7 million."
Major Flanagan believes the projection of an initial 50 service men and women to Duluth, will generate point four jobs within the community, making good on the government's goals to purchase local.
The 148th Fighter Wing is Duluth's ninth largest area employer with 1,000 members, 450 of them as full-time.
Jordan Weinand
jweinand@northlandsnewscenter.com
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