In June 2024, Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) was recognized as the largest military economic contributor in Texas, with over $55 billion being added to the state’s economic output. This was announced by Governor Greg Abbott, who revealed that Texas’ 14 military installations collectively contributed $151.2 billion to the state’s economy.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed his excitement about this news, attributing it to the city’s strong partnership with the military and legislative actions that have supported its mission. The city has invested heavily in infrastructure projects, including those aimed at enhancing energy resiliency and supporting military spouses and transitioning service members. Efforts such as the Military Transformation Task Force and visits to the Pentagon have helped strengthen the partnership between San Antonio and the military.
Over the past two decades, San Antonio has successfully preserved its military missions and installations by opposing encroachment that could threaten Camp Bullis and other key areas. In addition to supporting around 242,000 direct and indirect jobs as the top employer in San Antonio, JBSA has also experienced significant growth since 2019, driven by additions of military positions in areas such as aviation, cybersecurity, and healthcare. This growth is a testament to San Antonio’s commitment to maintaining its long-standing partnership with the military while investing in new opportunities for growth and prosperity for both San Antonio residents and U.S. soldiers alike.