Sheppard Air Force Base contributed $3.7 billion to the Texas economy in 2021, according to a new biennial report from the Texas Comptroller’s Office. The base was also responsible for 19,928 direct and indirect jobs. This number includes jobs at the base and jobs that serve the base.

Sheppard’s contribution is part of a military footprint that “has grown economically and now contributes more than $114 billion to the Texas economy,” the report said. Texas has 622,790 direct and indirect employees at its 15 military installations and Army Futures Command.

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The report highlights that military installations are still feeling the effects of funding cuts from the Budget Restraint Act of 2011 and that the state has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure to support military installations and their missions over a series of realignment and closure of bases in 2005.

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Military economic impact and employment in Texas has declined since a similar report released for 2019-20. At that time, the impact was $123 billion with 633,892 direct and indirect workers. The Sheppard-related impact decreased by $4.6 billion and direct and indirect employment decreased by 22,323.

In 2020, Texas was named the No. 1 state in defense contracts and personnel spending with $83 billion, according to the report.

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Seven cities in Texas have received more than $15 million in Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance grants in 2022 to help communities affected by BRAC. Wichita Falls was not one of the communities.

Sheppard is represented on the Texas Military Readiness Commission by Darrell Coleman, former publisher of the Times Record News.

Brig. General Lyle Drew of Sheppard serves as chairman of the Texas Council of Commanders, whose mission is to discuss common issues and interests with Texas installations and communicate ways to add military value to Texas installations.