September 13th, 2019
Navy’s economic impact substantial
In a presentation teeming with data, U.S. Navy Cmdr. James Rankin made a convincing case for the Navy’s importance in the regional economy.
Rankin, an Anacortes resident, serves as Executive Officer at NAS Whidbey. He represented the base Thursday at an Anacortes Chamber luncheon, sharing facts about a naval air station he described as “a significant employer and contributor to the Washington economy.”
Rankin shared numerous statistics regarding the impact of Navy Region Northwest (NRNW) facilities. This group includes NAS Whidbey, Naval Base Everett and Naval Base Kitsap.
- Total NRNW employment is 78,549, including 25,041 military and 20,974 civilian personnel directly employed, and 32,534 additional jobs related to operations and maintenance, payroll and other spending.
- Total direct NRNW payroll is $3 billion.
- Annual state and local taxes generated from NRNW is $303 million.
- NAS Whidbey was named naval aviation’s top installation in 2016 and 2018. This base employs 8,400 military and 2,100 civilians.
- To those who complain about jet noise and ask, “Why didn’t you build a base in the middle of nowhere?” Rankin quipped. “We did.” Whidbey Island was a rural community when the base was constructed in the Forties. Subsequent “encroachment,” said the Navy officer, is typical wherever military installations are located.
- A vital function of the U.S. Navy is maintenance of international sea lanes. Rankin noted that 90 percent of international commerce is conducted on seas and fresh water.
- A popular element of Navy services in the region is the Search & Rescue unit based at NAS Whidbey. This service, a “last resort” for the civilian community, conducted 69 missions in 2018, with 77 individuals “delivered to higher care” from situations that were life-threatening (e.g. fall or injury in the mountains).
Rankin closed his remarks with thanks to the community Anacortes, which he characterized as a valuable part of the Navy’s “Team Whidbey.”
“We are grateful, blessed to have you as partners,” he said.
