Rosecrans reports a greater fiscal impact in community

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike Smith
  • 139th Airlift Wing
ST. JOSEPH, MO. --  The wing recently reported its economic impact to the surrounding community was higher than calculations for previous fiscal years.

The calculation for fiscal year 2010 is about $131 million.

Comptroller officials here said some of that fiscal impact in the community comes from construction, remodeling and more contractors at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in the coming year.

"We are going to have contracts awarded for a lot of projects, including taxiways and building projects," said Maj. James Treu, Comptroller Flight commander.

Local construction contracts were just over $1 million last fiscal year, said Treu, but in fiscal year 2011, with the taxiway and other construction projects, including Phase Two of the new firehouse, it will total around $21 million.

"Add supplies, equipment, maintenance and repair, and this total will be nearly $50 million," he said.

Treu said projections this year for the total state and federal expenditures are just shy of $110 million, which includes payrolls, supplies, equipment, maintenance and repair, among other items.

The $131 million economic impact figure includes a secondary effect that salaries and contracts bring through jobs as well as other results in St. Joseph.

The base is among the city's largest employers, and the community takes great interest in our economy, said Treu.

Treu, as well as the base commander, Col. Mike Pankau, and civil engineers were interviewed by the media about the recent budget announcement.

"This is a viable and growing organization that plays a large role in the local economy," said Pankau.

Funding here comes from the state, the National Guard Bureau and the Air Force.
Each fiscal year the base develops and submits a strategic plan to the state, as well as an end plan that includes sustainment, restoration and modernization funds.

"There's a lot of coordination that has to be done to ensure the allocation and spending here gets done right," said Treu, who credited budget personnel, contracting and resource advisors, among others for their "diligent hard work."

"They do a tremendous job," said Treu.