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EconoMeter panelists split on defense jobs' future

Roger Showley, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

Sunday, April 24, 2011

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Kelly Cunningham, National University System
Yes.
The military will continue to be a major economic force and job factor for San Diego overall, although those impacts should not be taken for granted. Over the next few years, further gains in local military and defense-related spending are anticipated, especially as more troops return home and actually get to spend their military earnings. San Diego will also benefit from a shift in focus to Pacific area operations with local military infrastructure and expenditures being bolstered. Recent high gains in defense spending, however, will undoubtedly be slowed given budget austerity expected to be imposed by the federal government.