SAN DIEGO — Research shows San Diego's Naval Information Warfare Systems Command accounts for more than $3.1 billion in gross regional product for the economy, according to a report released by the San Diego Military Advisory Council and the University of San Diego's Knauss School of Business.
The report released Tuesday compiled by USD researchers found that in Fiscal Year 2022, NAVWAR was responsible for between $3.14 billion and $3.38 billion in GRP. Additionally, it employs more than 5,300 people and, when wages and benefits are considered, that workforce brings $910 million to the local economy.
"As an advocate for our local military, SDMAC wanted to produce a report to help our community better understand the significant economic importance of the Navy's NAVWAR operations on the San Diego region," said Mark Balmert, SDMAC's president and CEO. "The independent and rigorous analysis by the team at USD's Knauss School of Business has done just that, showing that our community benefits with many well-paying jobs for people across San Diego County."
According to the report's authors, across the region, NAVWAR business is responsible for over 18,800 jobs. Contracts awarded by NAVWAR reach businesses across the country.
The report comes at a time when the Navy is looking to redevelop the 70.3-acre Naval Base Point Loma Old Town Campus, home to NAVWAR. Earlier this month, the Navy announced the selection of Manchester Financial Group/Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate as the potential master developer of the site, the authors of the report wrote. The potential redevelopment could see new commercial, residential and transportation facilities.
"The University of San Diego is proud to partner with SDMAC to shed light on the major contribution that NAVWAR makes to our region," said Stath Karras, executive director of the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate at USD. "Our support for this report was driven by USD's commitment to serve as an anchor institution in San Diego and to be a premier university for the military-connected community."