Manufacturing boom on the Bayou

Defense economic impact

• $17 billion annually
• 117,000 jobs supported by U.S. military spending

Military Installations

• Barksdale Air Force Base
  • 9,000 jobs
  • $722 million payroll

• Fort Polk
  • 13,000 jobs
  • $675 million payroll
    
    
• Naval Air Station Reserve Base
  • 1,700 naval jobs
  • $190+ million in spending
    
• Marine Forces Reserve
  • 1,400 military and civilian personnel
  • $95 million in annual expenditures

• Naval Information Warfare Center
  • 240 jobs
  • $109 million in spending
    
    
• Louisiana National Guard
  • 3,600 statewide personnel
  • $497 million in spending

• U.S. Coast Guard
  • 1,500 jobs
  • $211 million in spending
    
• 377th Theater Sustainment Command
  • 900 workers
  • $29+ million annual spending

Jobs

The military accounts for nearly 4% of Louisiana jobs – about one out of every 26 jobs in the state.

Shipbuilding

Shipbuilding and repair is the leading defense industry sector in Louisiana, accounting for $535 million in contract work and nearly 20% of all defense contract spending in the state.

Top 5 sectors for contract recipients in Louisiana

• Heavy and civil engineering construction
• Shipbuilding and repair
• Facilities support services
• Petroleum refineries
• Deep sea freight transportation

*Statistics courtesy of Louisiana Economic Development (https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/key-industry/aerospace)