Buckley AFB says it has $1.7 billion economic impact

The top commander at Buckley Air Force Base says the facility contributed $1.7 billion to the local economy in the last federal fiscal year.

Col. Clinton Crosier released the number in a speech to the Aurora Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce last week.

Crosier says the total includes $26 million in construction, $16 million spent with health care agencies, $191 million in other contracts to civilian companies and $280 million in payroll.

Buckey is home of the 460th Space Wing, whose duties include missile warning, technical intelligence and satellite command.

It’s also home to an Air National Guard F-16 wing whose jets are available to scramble on orders from the North American Aerospace Defense Command.