Collectively in 2003, military and federal installations on the Mississippi Gulf Coast employed over 30,000 military and civilian personnel with a direct payroll of over $1 billion and a total economic impact of over $2.8 billion annually.


Military in Mississippi
 MilitaryCivilianAnnual Payroll*
Total Impact25,92411,726$1,464,392,429
Gulf Coast Installations
Keesler AFB12,6463,613$672,987,103
Naval Station Pascagoula2,038167$75,000,000
Stennis Space Center3331,797$114,800,000
Naval CBC4,125616$113,782,586
Air National Guard -- CRTC13783$16,387,700

* Direct payroll only; FY 2003


Keesler Air Force Base is Biloxi’s and Harrison County’s single largest employer, and is one of the top five employers in the State of Mississippi. Its $145 million civilian payroll and purchasing supports an additional 5,000 jobs in the local community. Local service and supply contracts total over $50 million annually and over $40 million in health, education, and lodging costs. In addition to the economic activity that the Gulf Coast enjoys from active duty and civilian personnel and contract work, the presence of over 12,000 military retirees further stimulates business in the community with their estimated retirement income of over $180 million annually.


Local Industry Contributions:


Top Ten Coast Employers:

  • Keesler Air Force Base
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Grand Casinos
  • Naval Construction Battalion Center
  • Stennis Space Center
  • Beau Rivage Resort
  • Naval Station Pascagoula
  • Memorial Hospital
  • Singing River Hospital
  • Harrison County School District