EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What is a Joint Land Use Study?
A Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) is a cooperative
planning effort conducted as a joint venture
between an active military installation(s) and
surrounding JLUS Partners – the cities of Biloxi
and D’Iberville, Harrison County, state and federal
agencies, organizations, and the public – to identify
and address compatibility issues. The Keesler
Air Force Base (AFB) JLUS was funded through a
grant from the Department of Defense, Office of
Economic Adjustment with financial support from
the Mississippi Development Authority and the
City of Biloxi. The JLUS was developed under the
guidance of three main objectives: COLLABORATION. Promote collaborative
planning between the JLUS Partners in order to
facilitate a consistent approach in addressing
compatibility issues.
UNDERSTANDING. Increase
communication and understanding between the
military and JLUS Partners about the economic and
physical relationship between Keesler AFB and its
neighbors. ACTIONS. Develop applicable
recommendations for avoiding or reducing
the impacts of incompatible land uses on the
community and military operations.
Advisory Committee - Assisted in the
identification and assessment of technical issues,
provided feedback on report development, and
assisted in the development and evaluation of
implementation strategies and tools. Technical Committee - Assisted with
local and technical knowledge and provided
information for the development of strategies
relative to their expertise and experience.
The Keesler AFB JLUS collaborative planning effort
included the following project partners:
Gulf Regional Planning Commission
City of Biloxi Keesler AFB
Collaborative Planning
The JLUS planning process was designed to create
a locally relevant study that builds consensus and
obtains support from the stakeholders involved.
The public was involved in the development of this
JLUS by providing their perspective and feedback,
both in the JLUS public workshops and the use of
the project website: www.keeslerjlus.com.
The development of the project was also guided
by three committees composed of JLUS Partner
representatives:
Policy Committee - Provided project
oversight, guidance, and decision-making approval
of the study design, policy recommendations, and
draft and final JLUS documents.
City of D’Iberville
Harrison County
Harrison County Development Commission
Mississippi Development Authority
Mississippi Power
Biloxi Chamber of Commerce
Biloxi Housing Authority
Gulf Coast Housing Initiative/ Back Bay
Mission
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
Mississippi Department of Transportation
Why Is It Important to Partner with Keesler AFB?
It is important to partner with Keesler AFB on relevant and long
range planning projects to ensure viability and sustainability of
the of the military training mission and economic impact that the
base provides now and into the future. As the largest Gulf Coast
employer, Keesler AFB employs over 10,000 military and civilian
employees and contributed over $1.67 billion to the economy
in 2015. Keesler AFB is the Air Force’s Electronics Training
Center of Excellence responsible for training and educating over
20,000 airmen annually in electronic and computer systems, air
weapons control and air traffic control, as well as cyber systems
operations and cyber security. Employees at Keesler AFB invest
in community outreach and support, participating in community
causes and educational programs throughout surrounding areas.
114,094
$125M
$1.67B
281,596
Keesler AFB extended population on Gulf Coast including
workforce, retirees, and dependents (estimated Fiscal Year 2015)
Estimated value of jobs created in the
community for Fiscal Year 2015
Total annual economic impact of Keesler AFB for Fiscal Year 2015
(payroll, contracts, estimated value of all jobs and local spending)
Number of Keesler AFB volunteer hours dedicated to a
variety of community service projects in 2015