Advocate Drum and Next Move New York outline Fort Drum's regional economic footprint and workforce retention program

Dave Zambiak of Advocate Drum presented the regional economic footprint of Fort Drum and the organization's advocacy work to protect and expand the installation's military value. He reported that federal fiscal‑year data show a roughly $2.48 billion total regional economic impact and that Fort Drum–related activity supports approximately 17,018 military and civilian jobs on installation and some 732 Fort Drum‑related jobs in Lewis County, yielding about $70.4 million in additional economic impact for the county.

"Fort Drum represents a talent pool," Zambiak said, outlining past regional efforts to defend the base during BRAC and other reviews, and citing infrastructure projects — including an exit from I‑81 and railhead improvements — where Advocate Drum helped secure funding and community support.

Ben Cruz, program administrator for Next Move New York, described a regional workforce initiative aimed at retaining transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses. Cruz said the program's components include Live, Love, Stay (community experiences to encourage retention), a Job Matching Portal to connect Fort Drum talent with employers, employer incentive programs, and partnerships with higher education and regional development authorities.

Cruz said the Job Matching Portal allows employers to post openings and automatically match candidates, and he highlighted success stories where the program connected transition service members with local employers. "The sense of community here in the North Country second to none," Cruz said when asked what keeps people in the area, and he cited safety, schools and community as retention factors.

Legislators heard that improved retention of military‑connected residents is intended to support local labor markets and the county's broader economic development goals; no motions or binding actions followed the presentations.