What are the Historical Perspectives and Economic Impacts?
Since the 1996 closure of the Charleston Naval Base, Charleston has emerged as a model joint military complex that saves money, increases efficiency, shares resources, and benefits from security of local ports and installations. In 2006, U.S. military operations in the tri-county region of Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties accounted for over 29,000 direct jobs and a total annual economic impact of $3.5 billion according to the Charleston Area Military Economic Impact Report provided by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce – Center for Business Research and the Center for Economic Forecasting at Charleston Southern University. Prior to the Naval Base and Naval Shipyard Closure in 1996, total military operations contributed 48,000 jobs and $4.2 billion to the regional economy. The military presence is second only to tourism as the regions primary economic driver. The United States Navy is once again the regions largest employer with over 16,200 full time employees. The Ch
