Fort Drum's Economic Impact Grew in 2023

FORT DRUM-Fort Drum’s economic effect on the north country has climbed to levels not seen in a dozen years. Add up all of Fort Drum’s economic effects in 2023, and it’s $2.5 billion, according to Advocate Drum. Officials told WWNY-TV news reporters that $2.5 billion is the highest amount in more than a decade. Fr Drum accounts for 24,238 jobs in the Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties are supported directly and indirectly by Fort Drum. This accounts for nearly 21.4 percent of the region’s wage earners, making Fort Drum the largest single-site employer in New York state last year. The top industries that indirectly benefit from Fort Drum in the tri-county region are construction, health & social services, and educational services. Without a school on post, that means more jobs in the surrounding communities. Fort Drum’s report says direct economic impact from Fort Drum is up about 19 percent from 2022.