Study: National Guard adds billions to Oklahoma economy

As reported by the Oklahoma National Guard, the study was conducted out of Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Researchers found that the National Guard adds more than $2.5 billion to Oklahoma’s economy each year. SWOSU’s Center for Economic and Business Development gathered information for the study over a period of several months to look at the next five years.

Senior research analyst Fui Ting Phang said the Guard brings in thousands of jobs too.

“For every 100 jobs created by the Oklahoma National Guard, it creates an additional 227 jobs.” Phang said.

The study shows the Oklahoma National Guard has nearly 1,200 full-time employees in the Army and another 239 in the Air National Guard. From now until 2018, the study suggests the Guard will create more than 13,000 new jobs statewide.

Also found in the research, the Guard is responsible for nearly $12 million in income tax revenue this year. The study projects that to be up to $15 million by 2018. Additionally, the Guard is expected to generate more than $6 million in sales taxes this year and more than $7 million annually by 2018.