1. Economic Impact local economies from the National
Guard. Not only are the 15,000 men
work at Dobbins Air Reserve Base
just across the flight line.
Long before the Georgia National and women of the Guard enhancing Much is made – and rightly so –
Guard established its present footprint the everyday lives of local citizens of the support our communities give
in Cobb County and the surrounding by protecting the homeland and to their local Guard units. Indeed,
communities, the military – active supporting war efforts around the from homecoming parades to local
duty, Reserve and a handful or Army world, but they are also helping initiatives by community leaders
and Air Guard units – was already protect the economic livelihoods of to find our Guardsmen gainful
making a positive impact on the local millions of Georgians. employment, community support has
economy by buying or renting homes, One of the largest enhancements been outstanding.
eating in local restaurants, shopping in to the local economic contribution of It is important – too – for these
local stores, banking at local financial the Georgia National Guard came at communities to know what kind of
institutions, and seeking medical care the end of 2011 when the new Joint support they receive in return: not
at local health facilities. Force Headquarters building opened just a ready and relevant force for
Now, with a presence of some 80 at Clay National Guard Center. The responding to natural or manmade
entities around the state of Georgia, Georgia Guard then moved another disasters, but also a profound
National Guardsmen contribute more 731 personnel onto Clay, boosting the economic influencer.
than one billion dollars annually to organization’s presence in Cobb to What’s more, the Guard doesn’t
the economy of defense communities nearly 2,000 full-time personnel and just impact the bottom line of these
around the state. traditional Guardsmen (those who communities, but Guardsmen are also
From military and civilian wages attend drill once a month). an important part of the local social
to military construction, goods and That added to the 2,547 military fabric, in keeping with the tradition
services, dollars are flowing into the and civilian personnel who already of our nation’s minutemen.
2011 Annual Report | 6