The 277 Aviation Support Battalion of the 10th Mountain Division at a Change of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Drum. Photo: Fort Drum Public Affairs
Fort Drum Army base near Watertown generates $1.93 billion for the North Country economy. That’s according to the base’s annual economic impact statement. It’s an increase of 1.3% over last year.
The home to the 10th Mountain Division, one of the most deployed in the U.S. military, supports 38,000 active-duty soldiers, their families, and civilian employees. That makes it the largest single-site employer in northern New York.
The state is trying to keep more of those people in the region after their tour of duty is complete. A $10 million investment in a project called Next Move NY is attempting to build a workforce pipeline for soldiers who are transitioning out of the military, and their spouses. The project opened its first office in downtown Watertown Thursday.
Fort Drum is celebrating its 40th anniversary since it converted from Camp Drum and became the home of the 10th Mountain Division.