(Tribune News Service) — The defense industry provides 264,780 jobs in Alabama with an annual payroll of $19.3 billion, according to a new economic impact study compiled by the University of Alabama in Huntsville College of Business.

The study was funded by the Alabama Military Stability Commission, a panel of lawmakers and other officials created by the Legislature. The report says military personnel and defense contracts across Alabama generate total economic impact of $50.3 billion.

“From aerospace development in the Tennessee Valley to shipbuilding in the Gulf Coast and at all points in between, the defense industry is vital to Alabama’s economy and job creation efforts,” Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who chairs the commission by virtue of his office, said. “The numbers in this report make the irrefutable case that Alabama must preserve and expand the defense infrastructure already located here while also attracting new companies and assets, as well.”

The report shows that active military personnel hold 96,340 jobs in Alabama. Department of Defense contractors fill 168,439 jobs. The military and defense industry is most prevalent in the Huntsville area, followed by southeast Alabama with Fort Rucker and Montgomery with Maxwell Air Force Base.

• Redstone Arsenal Region: 143,156 jobs, $13.2 billion payroll

• Fort Rucker Region: 28,865 jobs, $2.7 billion payroll

• Maxwell/Gunter Region: 26,706 jobs, $1.9 billion payroll

• Coastal Region: 21,331 jobs, $1.02 billion payroll

• Anniston Region: 13,102 jobs, $1 billion payroll

• Birmingham Region: 2,583 jobs, $146 million payroll

• Dallas County Region: 559 jobs, $15 million payroll

• Marion County Region: 22 jobs, $1 million

The aerospace industry provides 63,258 jobs in Alabama with an economic impact of roughly $17.4 billion, according to the report. The Alabama National Guard provides 15,263 jobs with an impact of almost $2.5 billion. The U.S. Coast Guard and its Aviation Center in Mobile provide 4,468 jobs with a payroll of $314 million and an impact of $904 million, the report says.

Fort Benning, in Columbus, Ga., provides 4,346 jobs in Russell and Lee counties with a payroll of $151 million and an economic impact of $472 million.

The Legislature created the Alabama Military Stability Commission in 2011. It includes elected officials, cabinet members, and regional appointees from areas of Alabama with a heavy defense concentration. The purpose of the commission is to recommend and implement the steps necessary to protect and promote the federal military presence across the state.

©2023 Advance Local Media LLC.

Visit al.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.