Study says military has $5 billion impact in Charleston

A new study released today shows the military has a $5 billion impact on the Charleston economy every year. The Center for Business and Research of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce conducted the study that shows a combined payroll of $840 million for servicemen in the Charleston area.

The Associated Press reports military branches in Charleston pump in about $5 billion a year into the local economy. Recently the Charleston Air Force Base and the Naval Weapons Station joined together to form Joint Base Charleston. Since merging, the base has become the region’s largest single employer with more than 20,000 employees.