Analysts say Ohio military base had $4.3B economic impact

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Air Force economic analysts say Ohio’s largest military base had an estimated $4.3 billion impact in fiscal year 2014.

The Dayton Daily News reports the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton also employed nearly 28,000 workers that year.

Base spokesman Daryl Mayer says that’s a boost in the number of workers on the base and the geographic area it affects because the survey area was increased from five counties to 14. He says the widening of the survey area increased both the economic impact and the base population.

Analysts included employees who travel from farther away than just the counties directly adjacent to the base.

Mayer says the previous survey estimated a $4 billion impact and a population of about 26,200 workers in five counties.