The economic impact of the Dayton Region’s military and federal installations continues to grow, according to an updated Economic Impact Analysis, representing $19.4 billion in total economic activity. 

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, in partnership with the state’s private economic development corporation JobsOhio, announced the results of the first statewide economic impact analysis of Ohio’s military and federal installations in October 2021. 

The analysis shows the widespread and significant impact of Ohio’s military and federal installations on every region of the state. The installations generate $40 billion in economic impact, 380,000 jobs, and account for 6% of Ohio’s economy. The total economic activity of the sector is $69 billion across the state.

“We know defense contracting obligations and military missions in the Dayton Region continue to grow, providing excellent career opportunities for our residents and acting as a catalyst for the creation of many successful local businesses. The impact makes up 17 percent of our economy, extending beyond defense contractors to businesses that support the installations, their employees, and their families,” DDC President and CEO Jeff Hoagland said. “These installations deserve our attention and support, and we will continue to advocate for them and work to ensure their success.”

In addition to the statewide impact, the analysis evaluated the impact of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the Dayton Veteran Affairs Medical Center, and Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base in the 12 counties that make up JobsOhio’s Western Region. The Dayton Development Coalition is JobsOhio’s regional network partner. 

Defense-related activities and investment in the Region include:
•    Supported roughly 103,200 jobs. 
•    Generated $8.3 billion in earnings.
•    Created $11.6 billion in regional economic impact (also known as value-added).
•    Accounted for 17.12 percent of the region’s economy.
•    Generated $19.4 billion in total economic activity (also known as gross output).

“In the Dayton Region, we have long had a clear picture of the impact of our federal installations, especially Wright-Patt, for years. This statewide study shows other regions also have a significant economic impact from this sector, especially Northeastern Ohio,” said Elaine Bryant, DDC Executive Vice President of Aerospace and Defense and JobsOhio Managing Director for the Military and Federal Sector. “We hope quantifying that impact will encourage even more statewide support of our federal installations and help Ohioans see this is not just a Dayton issue.”

JobsOhio established a Military and Federal Sector in 2020 to support the many federal installations across the state.  The economic impact analysis of more than 20 federal installations in Ohio provides a better understanding of the scope and the impact of the sector on the entire state. Installations included in the study were the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The results are featured in the Ohio 2021 Military and Federal Factbook. The publication highlights Ohio’s installations and overall economic impact the military and federal installations have statewide and regionally.

The report provides an in-depth detailed analysis of how military and federal installations provide a solid base that fuels the local economy, beyond direct spending. Utilizing the REMI PI+ econometric forecasting model, the study measures the direct, indirect, and induced economic effects of Ohio’s defense industry as well as the trade flow effects occurring between each of the state’s six regions. The study was conducted by Matrix Design Group, a leading provider of economic impact work for military communities across the country. 

For additional details:
•    Visit the EIA website
•    Download the Factbook