Grand Forks base impact at more than $350 million

GRAND FORKS (AP) - The Grand Forks Air Force Base had an economic impact of nearly $350 million during fiscal 2005, officials say.

Base officials calculated payroll, expenses and the estimated value of jobs created in Grand Forks and neighboring East Grand Forks, Minn.

The base also reported having 3,535 on-base jobs and 1,178 indirect jobs during the fiscal year, which ran from Oct. 1, 2004, to Sept. 30, 2005.

The numbers could be changing in coming years as the base moves toward its new unmanned aerial systems mission, base officials said.

"We have no specific milestones for realignment right now, and it's way too early to start making guesses," base spokesman Capt. Michael Meredith said.