Kirtland AFB releases 2020 economic impact statement

  • Published
  • By John Cochran
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Col. Jason Vattioni, 377th Air Base Wing commander and installation commander at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, released the base’s 2020 Economic Impact Statement during a Nov. 8, 2021 breakfast meeting of the Kirtland Partnership Committee (www.kpcnm.org) at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Albuquerque.

Officials at Kirtland AFB compile and review the base’s economic impact on New Mexico after closing each fiscal year on Sept. 30, and prepare a public statement every two years.

In fiscal year 2020 (Oct. 1, 2019-Sept. 30, 2020), the total economic impact of Kirtland, including its 25 major mission partners, such as the Department of Energy and Sandia National Laboratories, exceeded $7.4 billion. Albuquerque and the region within 50 miles of the base received a direct economic impact of more than $4.6 billion.

The base employs more than 23,000 people, including uniformed military members, federal civilians, and contract workers. The annual payroll is $2.25 billion for those directly employed by the base, which then flows into the state’s economy.

Notably, Kirtland is served by Historically Underutilized Business Zone-, minority-, female- and veteran-owned small business contracts totaling more than $287 million.

“The presence of Kirtland and the professionals employed on the base have a big influence on the Albuquerque metro area,” Vattioni said. “These employees buy homes, pay taxes, and support local businesses, generating billions of dollars in local economic impact. We are proud to be part of the greater Albuquerque community, and we appreciate the support we receive in return.”

As the Air Force’s fifth-largest installation, the base covers more than 50,000 acres southeast of Albuquerque, with 351 miles of roads and five fire stations. Kirtland’s developed areas include 765 buildings, comprising nearly 8 million square feet of space, with a value of more than $5.2 billion.

To see the full Kirtland Air Force Base 2020 Economic Impact Statement, go to https://kirtland.usaf.afpims.mil/Portals/52/2020%20Impact%20Statement%20FINAL%20web%20version%201_1.pdf.