Fort Gordon—what a blessing
The following information was just received from Mayor Copenhaver’s office concerning the positive impact of Fort Gordon.
Facts and figures about Fort Gordon’s impact on the CSRA. (1 October 2009)
1. Fort Gordon remains the CSRA’s largest employer with over 27,000 military, civilian and contractor employees, a growth of over 9,000 since 2002. Using a conservative Dept of Commerce multiplier of 2:1 this equates to 54,000 community jobs as a result of Fort Gordon.
2. About 800-1200 service members separate from the military at Fort Gordon each year. These are primarily highly skilled information technology or medical professionals. Surveys show about half plan to or would like to remain in Augusta area if there were jobs available.
3. There is over $234M worth of construction currently on-going or programmed for this year, not counting the new $300M+ strategic intelligence center scheduled for completion in 2012.
4. Ft Gordon has contracts with 26 area hotels to provide lodging for students and others on official travel. They average 300 hotel rooms per day for official military visitors.
5. The Fort Gordon Retirement Services area of responsibility includes 30 Georgia counties and 10 South Carolina counties, within which there are over 51,000 military retirees and family members.
6. There are over 73,000 vehicles registered on Ft Gordon. Per Edmunds.com and area auto dealers, the average driver buys a different vehicle every 5-6 yrs, thus about 13,000 vehicles are sold annually to people affiliated with Ft Gordon. Consider 2nd order affects of repairs, car washes, oil changes, tires, etc.
7. Over $138M in health care was purchased from area medical facilities in FY2008. This includes TRICARE in/outpatient care at area civilian facilities, specialty care/referrals for treatment not available at Eisenhower Army Medical Center, and contracted care at civilian facilities such as all obstetric care for military being provided by Trinity Hospital and the Medical College of Georgia.
8. Area school districts receive about $1.3M annually in impact aid, which is funding provided by the Department of Education to compensate for federal employees who do not pay property or GA state taxes because they live in government housing or are out-of-state residents.
9. DoD has reinstituted the adopt-a-school program permitting military units to establish partnerships with area schools. These partnerships permit service members to assist students as big brothers/sisters, tutors, coaches, etc. Thus far, 2 schools in Richmond County have unit sponsors through this newly reinstituted program.
10. Fort Gordon is the CSRA’s largest contributor to the Combined Federal Campaign, collecting over $535,000 for CFC in 2008.
11. The US Army Signal Corps Band provides over 300 performances annually in parades, ceremonies, receptions, schools, nursing homes, museums, funerals, and other area activities.
12. Fort Gordon service members, civilians and family members volunteer over 5000 manhours annually in area schools, nursing homes, food banks, and for other community activities and events.
13. Fort Gordon facilities are used for community activities such as the Soap Box Derby, Special Olympics, Motorcycle Safety Course, and ROTC/JROTC training. The 27-hole Gordon Lakes Golf Course, Ft Gordon Bowling Center, Riding Stables, Dinner Theater, Gordon Club, Bingo Palace and the Sportsman’s Complex with skeet, trap, archery, and firearms ranges are all open to the public.
14. Ft Gordon is home to the GA National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy which is a program for high school dropouts, offering a chance to complete their GED and gain experience as responsible adults. Each session is 5 months long and graduates over 200 students.
Please feel free to call or email me with any questions about the Augusta area.
Mark Chesnick
Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate Co
706-495-1533
mchesnick@blanchardandcalhoun.com
markchesnick@augustaonmymind.com
www.augustaonmymind.com