FORT DRUM (AP) — Fort Drum had an economic impact of $1.24 billion on the three-county area surrounding the northern New York installation, according to an annual report compiled by the Army.
The post has grown significantly over the past three years with the addition of a new third brigade, which added more than 6,000 soldiers to the 10th Mountain Division. As a result, the post's payroll has doubled in size, from $446 million to nearly $938 million in fiscal year 2006, which ended Sept. 30.
Overall, 17,438 soldiers and 3,712 civilians were employed at Fort Drum, with payroll for civilians totaling more than $201 million and military payrolls at $737.5 million.
The 2006 economic-impact statement also includes for the first time figures of slightly more than $30.5 million paid to the 1,918 military retirees living in the area.
Housing also played a major role. In its first full year, the Army's partnership with Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes spent nearly $61 million to house soldiers in existing military housing on post, while 140 construction contracts totaled another $22.3 million.
The Army Corps of Engineers also leased 2,000 units at a cost of nearly $25 million, but that programs contract will begin phasing out in December and will be fully privatized by 2010.
Fort Drum's comprehensive managed-care program also spent more than $46.1 million in the region for health care of soldiers and their families and retirees.
The overall figures in the new report bring the post's total spending to more than $9.1 billion since fiscal year 1988.