Joint Base Lewis-McChord is more than a national defense asset; it’s also a substantial component of South Sound’s economy, including producing a trained, diverse, and disciplined labor pool for regional employers as service members transition out of active duty.
The amount of goods and services generated in Pierce County, where the 90,283-acre base is largely located (the 323,431-acre Yakima Training Center in Central Washington also is part of JBLM), is significant, and it has a regional impact as well, noted Michael Catsi, president and CEO of the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County.
“It has an impact on Thurston County; it has an impact on Kitsap County; it has an impact on surrounding counties, as well,” Catsi said. “Just that alone is significant, and that’s why it plays a major role.”…