Military installations in Washington state support 188,000 jobs and pump $7.2 billion into the economy each year, according to a just-released report from the governor’s office.
In Snohomish County, the economic impact of the military was estimated at $431 million in 2003, and in Island County, $674 million.
State officials began examining the importance of military installations last year as talk about military base closures intensified.
Installations across the country are being scrutinized for possible closure as the Department of Defense prepares for the next round of closures in 2005.
More than 450 military installations have been closed since 1988 in four rounds of the Base Realignment and Closure process.
The secretary of defense will present the list of recommended base closures by May 16.
Because the next round is expected to be the biggest yet, state officials and local leaders have been studying the value of their military bases so they can be ready to make the case that their installations should be spared from the chopping block.
That’s been happening from Everett to Olympia.
Several major military bases are located in Washington, and all branches of the military have installations in the state. Everett is home to Naval Station Everett, which opened in 1994, and Oak Harbor is home to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, which opened in 1942.
Washington state has a long-term relationship with the military, said Chris Rose, executive policy adviser to Gov. Gary Locke. While the report details the state and local government agencies and programs that assist the military here, it will also help decision makers understand how policy and investment decisions might affect the military.
The report will also let Defense Department officials see the role the military plays in the state and local economies, and what’s being done to support military installations across Washington.
Naval Station Everett is the county’s second-largest employer, and leaders throughout the county have been mobilized to keep the Navy base off the closure list.
Pat McClain, Everett’s governmental affairs director and co-chairman of the Navy support planning team, said work is progressing on an economic impact analysis that shows the importance of the Navy base to Snohomish County.
“We’ve done a local business survey of over 100 firms to get a feel for what sectors of the economy are greatly affected by the Navy,” he said.
As Everett gets ready to make its case, however, it’s also had to fend off views from afar that indicate Naval Station Everett is facing elimination.
Recent newspaper reports in Texas and Mississippi said the Everett base is being pegged for closure next year. The Caller-Times quoted Corpus Christi Mayor Loyd Neal as saying he had heard that the Navy would ask that Naval Station Everett and two other bases be put on the list.
“We have pursued that report and found it groundless,” McClain said.
“We found no substance to it from those who would know,” he added. “We are aware of no lists, and are frequently reminded of that by Navy folk.”
“The further we get into the (Base Realignment and Closure) process, the quicker the rumor mill is going to spin,” said U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., who serves on the House’s Armed Services Committee and whose 2nd Congressional District includes both Naval Station Everett and Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
Similar rumors have made the rounds since work on the 2005 base closure process started.
Neal said he based his comments on conversations he had with his consultants, former military men who assisted his city during the base-closure process.
“We’ve heard nothing definite,” Neal said. “And of course, the official party line from the Defense Department is there is no list.”
Indeed, the independent commission that will review potential base closures hasn’t even been formed yet.
According to the timeline laid out by the Defense Department, the commissioners will be nominated some time before March.
Reporter Brian Kelly: 425-339-3422 or kelly@heraldnet.com.
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