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Military spending accounts for $9.64 billion of economic activity across Louisiana from Barksdale to Belle Chasse and Fort Polk to the Marine Forces Reserve in New Orleans, according to a study released by the state this week.

"From the Battle of New Orleans to LSU’s founding as a military school to the modern-day contributions of Fort Polk, Barksdale Air Force Base and other stalwart facilities, the armed forces have loomed large throughout Louisiana’s history," Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a statement.

“That influence extends today to our economy, in a big way. Every region of Louisiana benefits economically from the payroll, spending, contracted work and other activity arising from the military’s presence in our state," said Edwards, who is a veteran.

Fork Polk near Leesville and Barksdale Air Force Base near Shreveport-Bossier City lead the way as among the largest installations in the nation.

Both are located within the 4th Congressional District of U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Benton, who is Louisiana's only member of the House Armed Services Committee.

"Barksdale and Fort Polk are not only critical components to our national security, but clearly critical to Louisiana's economy," he said in an interview with USA Today Network.

Johnson spoke in Leesville Tuesday night to Fort Polk Progress, a regional organization focused on coordinating local, state and congressional support for the installation, it's soldiers and their families.

"I think we're in a good position to work toward future development and expansion of our military installations throughout Louisiana," Johnson said. "The economic impact is huge."

The study was commissioned by Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana Military Advisory Council. State law mandates an in-depth assessment of the military’s impact in Louisiana every four years. 

It shows the military accounts for 77,000 jobs — one of every 26 jobs in Louisiana — and makes up 2.4% of the state's gross domestic product, as well as contributing $349.7 million in local and state taxes.

The Louisiana National Guard contributes more than $536 million in annual spending and has been particularly visible at home in every corner of the state during the past two years responding to hurricanes, the COVID pandemic, floods and freezes. 

"I call them the dream team," Louisiana National Guard Maj. Gen. Keith Waddell said of his troops a recent USA Today Network interview. "I can't say enough about how great these men and women are and their commitment to the citizens of the state.

Military contract spending in Louisiana has increased in each of the past seven years, which includes contracts for the U.S. Coast Guard, but not civil works and engineering services of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Shipbuilding and repairing remains the leading defense industry sector in Louisiana, accounting for $971 million in contract work in 2020, more than 39% of all defense contract spending in the state.

Other heavy and civil engineering construction accounted for $576.9 million, more than 23% of the state’s contract work. Other leading defense sectors in Louisiana in 2020 were engineering services ($96.5 million, 3.9%), deep sea freight transportation ($87.8 million, 3.5%) and coastal and Great Lakes freight transportation ($86.7 million, 3.5%. 

Louisiana’s military facilities and assets include:

► Fort Polk: One of the nation’s largest military installations, Fort Polk near Leesville is the site of the Joint Readiness Training Center, one of the Army’s three infantry training complexes.

It contributes nearly 15,000 jobs and $770 million in payroll to the economy. Estimated total spending at Fort Polk was $1.36 billion in fiscal year 2020.

► Barksdale Air Force Base: Home of the 2nd Bomb Wing of the Air Force Global Strike Command’s Eighth Air Force, Barksdale directly contributes nearly 9,000 jobs and more than $570 million in payroll to the economy. Its estimated total spending approached $719 million in 2020.

“It is a privilege to welcome these families to our area and to benefit from their participation and involvement in many aspects of our community,” said Murray Viser, president and chief operating officer of Barksdale Forward, in a statement. 

► Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans: Located at Belle Chasse, the base supports two Naval Air Reserve squadrons, two Marine Forces Reserve units, a Louisiana Air National Guard fighter wing, an Army Reserve unit, a Fleet Readiness Center, a Navy Reserve Operational Support Center and other military operations. It contributes more than 1,800 naval jobs and more than $171 million in spending to the economy.

► Coast Guard 8th District: Located in New Orleans, the Coast Guard has multiple operations in the region, including the 8th District headquarters in New Orleans, the Coast Guard Air Station at Belle Chasse and the New Orleans sector office. Coast Guard operations directly contribute more than 1,800 jobs and $192 million in spending to the state economy.

► Marine Forces Reserve: Located in Federal City in the Algiers section of New Orleans, the facility employs nearly 1,400 active and reserve military and civilian personnel with annual expenditures of over $80 million.

► Naval Information Warfare Center: Located in New Orleans, the center contributes nearly 600 jobs, including contractors, and $119 million in spending to the economy.

► Army Reserve 377th Theater Sustainment Command: Located in New Orleans, the 377th has more than 1,300 workers, including reservists, and contributes more than $37 million in annual spending.

► Louisiana National Guard: With headquarters in New Orleans and facilities throughout the state, the Louisiana National Guard contributes more than $536 million in annual spending. 

► Military retirees: Louisiana had more than 26,500 military retirees who received annual gross pay totaling $684 million. Spending by Louisiana veterans other than retirees isn't considered military spending, but the 277,000 veterans living in Louisiana spent about $3 billion in 2019.