This year’s base economic impact analysis, covering fiscal year 2025 ending Sept. 30, used a modeling change that is more accurate, according to Maj. Stefan Choquette, commander of the 5th Comptroller Squadron at Minot AFB.

Choquette presented the annual economic impact analysis report to members of the Minot Area Chamber EDC’s Military Affairs Committee at its meeting on Thursday in Minot.

The report is given annually to inform community leaders of the impact of the Air Force base on the local area.

Choquette said the report serves to quantify and estimate the monetary impact the missions at Minot Air Force Base have on the local economy and community. The report is quantitative and data driven; however, he said, the true impact is in the livelihoods of both the local community members and the airmen who serve at Minot AFB. He said the report translates mission execution into economic signal — useful for policy decisions, businesses planning and sustaining the Minot- Minot AFB relationship.

A UH-1N Iroquois helicopter takes off on the flightline for a formation flight at Minot Air Force Base Aug. 21, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Wesley Davies.

According to the fiscal year 2025 report, Minot AFB had 11,272 total personnel. That number includes 6,116 military members (6,090 active-duty members and 26 Air Force Reserve), 4,293 family members and 863 civilians (appropriated fund civilians and non-appropriated fund contract civilians and private business) in the workforce at the base.

Choquette said the population of Minot AFB has declined over the past years as the dependent (family members) population has fluctuated and civilian employee support has been reduced.

The population for past fiscal years included: 12,346 in 2021; 12,247 in 2022, 11,827 in 2023; 11,695 in 2024.

Of the 6,116 active-duty and Air Force Reserve military members, 3,689 members live off base in surrounding communities. Of the 4,293 active-duty family members, 2,887 members live off base.

In fiscal year 2025, the yearly payroll of the base totaled $473,778,541, and yearly expenditures for construction, services and procurement of materials, equipment and supplies totaled $73.34 million.

Airman 1st Class Abigail Goodner, 91st Missile Security Operations Squadron defender, checks her surroundings on Minot Air Force Base July 11, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anthony Ramey.

The yearly payroll for the base has increased. The payroll for past fiscal years was: $412.6 million in 2021; $416.1 million in 2022; $420.3 million in 2023; and $452 million in 2024.

The yearly expenditures for construction, services and procurement of materials, equipment and supplies for past fiscal years include: $85.1 million in 2021; $70.7 million in 2022; $84.2 million in each 2023 and 2024.

A total of 3,097 indirect jobs were created in the Minot area in fiscal year 2025. This includes 2,396 indirect jobs from personnel spending and 701 indirect jobs from base expenditures. The estimated annual dollar value of jobs created was more than $188.22 million.

Choquette said the average wage for the calculation for this region was calculated to $66,777, and as used in estimating the value of the estimated jobs.

According to the report, every single dollar has repetitive uses within the community.

“With all the contributing factors, we have found a direct impact of $547,119,541 (annual payroll and annual expenditures) and an indirect impact of $409,573,000 (indirect output from payroll and indirect expenditures output),” Choquette said. These numbers bring about the total economic impact of $956.7 million.

“This impact sustains jobs, supports families and underwrites the long-term regional growth of the Minot area,” Choquette said.