JFC ECONOMIC IMPACT

[BIZ/GOV: Brunssum January 28]
JFC, the Joint Force Command, which has its headquarters in Brunssum, South Limburg (NL) is a major player in NATO’s military structure, but it is also a major player in the economy of Meuse-Rhine, with special reference to the core area in the Brunssum–German border region. It’s important to remember the correct designation is JFC, because the organization has changed its acronyms over the years.

The Maastricht economic research institute Etil, has made a study of the economic impact of this major economic contributor to the region. Looking at what it contributes now, and whether this could be increased, the figures speak for themselves. The study was commissioned by JFC, in cooperation with the Limburg Development Company LIOF and the Chamber of Commerce for South Limburg.

In 2006, in round figures, the impact was EUR 150m. This is made up of payroll (EUR 100m+), expenditure on goods and services (in excess of EUR 21m) and job creation in the area (almost EUR 28m). The area concerned has a radius of 100km throughout Meuse-Rhine from the base in Brunssum.

The estimated number of jobs created in the region by this presence is 1,135 to which can be added 2,100 direct jobs on the base. Further information which would be valuable would be to know how the base personnel spend their money; the extent to which they have loans and mortgages at local banks etc. The whole area of shopping and related expenditure is clearly of major importance too.

The presentation of the Etil study was introduced by General Egon Ramms, who explained the role of the base and also the fact that the NATO operations in Afghanistan (ISAF) are also being run from Brunssum. One issue that perhaps needs a little bit more attention was the issue of integration or the relationship between the military community and the area where they are based. Since they live in the community, there is clearly a good deal of informal integration. Further developments on this front would presumably require the appropriate structures.
http://www.jfcbs.nato.int/