The Air Force Academy's Cadet Chapel
/ FOX21: Sade Malloy
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The Air Force Academy is bringing in the big bucks with an annual economic impact of $851 million. The Academy employs more than 10,000 people, including 3,600 civilians. But the figure is missing one big factor - all the tourists that come to visit.
"We see anywhere between 600,000-1.4 million visitors a year. They gotta stay somewhere, they've gotta eat somewhere and you've gotta get souvenirs while you're here," John Van Winkle with the Air Force Academy said.
You don't have to look far to see the Academy is positively affecting the local community. Sporting events alone draw in nearly 300,000 people and bring $5 million in revenue.
It is also construction season.
"The latest is the current renovation of Vandenberg Hall, which is one of our dormitories. We're doing Phase 2 construction on Fairchild, our main academic building and roadway work," Van Winkle said.
The next class of cadets will arrive June 23, which means the economic impact will continue. Students coming with their parents will need somewhere to stay and eat, bringing additional revenue to our community.
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