Scott Air Force Base contributes $12.9B to local economy annually, new study finds
By Will Bauer | St. Louis Public Radio | April 2, 2026 at 12:25 p.m. CDT
Scott Air Force Base, which is responsible for employing nearly 9,000 people full time across the region, has an annual economic impact of $12.9 billion, according to a recent study.
Commissioned by the Leadership Council of Southwest Illinois, the study examined military and civilian employees’ wages, the money they spend and also downstream dollars earned and spent by military contractors to calculate the new figure.
The figures — which had last been calculated in 2010 at $3.2 billion — provide a quantifiable value to what Scott Air Force Base brings to the regional economy.
The possibility of losing the Illinois base, and its economic contributions, has remained top of mind for regional leaders during events like the federal government shutdown this past fall and also in conversations about base closures, which happened locally in the 1990s and 2000s.
“As we look to the future, this report will serve as a valuable resource for decision-makers, community leaders, and business partners to better understand the ongoing and growing importance of Scott AFB to our region,” wrote Chris Blair and Kyle Anderson of the Leadership Council. “We hope that this data will spark further collaboration, advocacy, and investment in the base, ensuring its continued success and sustainability.”
The base’s direct economic impacts, which include spending such as payroll, housing allowances, federal education aid and construction investments, total $8.8 billion, according to the study.
Added to the $536 million in indirect impacts that account for nonmilitary jobs created in connection with Scott and the $3.5 billionthat account for how employees spend their money in the community, the base contributes $12.9 billion, the study found.
A total of 6,958 people work military jobs at the base, across active-duty jobs and both full- and part-time reservist and National Guard jobs. Another 3,524 work civilian jobs.
It’s estimated that there are 11,389 retirees living in the region who have completed 20 years of service and are eligible for full military pensions.
The study also mentions what has been seen as downsides to the base for some in the communities surrounding it.
Given that federal lands are exempt from taxes, area school districts, which are largely funded via property taxes, lose out on millions of dollars of revenue. The districts closest to Scott Air Force Base are most affected and receive what’s known as impact aid from the U.S. Department of Education.
In fiscal 2024, 10 area school districts received $20.1 million from that program. Most of that money, $19.5 million, was received by Mascoutah’s district.
As part of the $8.8 billion in economic output resulting from Scott is MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, which the report notes supports private-sector jobs including at Boeing’s manufacturing facility on site.
When the base was considered for closure in the 1990s, St. Clair County opened the airport. At the time, the Department of Defense stated Scott didn’t have enough runway space, which is why the county built a joint-use airport.
The airport has increased its ridership over the years, as 384,000 passengers flew in 2025, according to the airport. But MidAmerica’s construction left St. Clair County paying $6.5 million annually and with roughly $120 million in debt and interest as of 2021, according to the Belleville News-Democrat.
Steadfast City, a St. Louis-based economic consultant, prepared the study.
