A recent economic impact study of Southport highlights the value military services have on total economic output at the community, Southport CEO Peggy May says.

InterVISTAS Consulting Inc., completed a recent study of Southport Airport and Commercial Properties operations. According to the report, Southport directly creates 570 jobs, 540 full-time equivalents, $33-million in income, $67-million in gross domestic product and $111-million in economic output on an annual basis.

May says it was ordered to re-evaluate Southport's impact on the local region after the completion of infrastructure projects including the Central Plains Rec Plex and other capital improvements. In addition, the report studied what the military element meant to Southport's total output, May explains.

"The big piece of what we discovered, but not a surprise, something that's very important and very key to Southport's existence is obviously the military services," May explains, noting KF Aerospace operates the majority of military related services at Southport, subcontracting Canadian Base Operators, Tower Operators and other military services.

The report explains: Of the 570 jobs directly created by Southport, 350 are related to military. Of the $33-million of total annual wages directly created by Southport, $22-million are related to military. And $70-million of the $111-million total economic output of Southport is tied to military services.

"It's something we're very proud to have," May says. "There's a rich history and legacy here with military at Southport."

"Certainly as the (tenancy) contract comes up for renewal in the next few years, (this report) is something we'll want to use to really support the fact that it's a key part of the business and the community in Portage la Prairie."

See related story: "Report Examines Southport's Economic Impact"