A team: Community, air base achieve the extraordinary by working together

The fact that Seymour Johnson Air Force Base has a positive effect on the Wayne County economy is not news to anyone remotely familiar with the county.

But when the numbers are crunched, the real impact proves to be phenomenal.

According to statistics compiled by the military, the base had an estimated impact of $594 million in 2014. The figure represents payroll, appropriated funds, non-appropriated funds and various contracts.

The base employs about 7,000 people, including active duty and reserve military members, civilians and private businesses. And one weekend a month, hundreds of reservists come to town, creating another economic boost.

But local folks know the base's impact goes far beyond dollars and cents.

The people stationed here contribute to the community in many ways, especially through volunteerism and by supporting local retailers.

Goldsboro City Manager Scott Stevens said that he knew Wayne County and Seymour Johnson had a tight relationship when he came here. But he says he had no idea of just how strong that relationship was until he experienced it firsthand.

"I've been on teams that didn't feel like teams because I was always giving, but in the relationship between the city, county and Air Force here, it feels like a team," Stevens said.

The base and the community have been closely intertwined for well over half a century. Let's hope the partnership continues to grow.

Published in Editorials on December 18, 2015 11:28 AM