Fort McCoy, located in Monroe County, Wisconsin, continues to play a vital role in supporting regional economic activity, with new construction projects expected to maintain its significant financial contribution into fiscal year 2026. The installation’s economic influence has grown steadily, reaching an estimated $1.6 billion in FY 2024, up from $1.38 billion the previous year, according to garrison leadership. Projections suggest a similar or higher impact for FY 2025, with construction spending serving as a major driver.
Since FY 2019, over $310 million has been invested in new buildings and training ranges, while more than $1.47 billion has been allocated to operational expenses, including utilities, maintenance, supplies, services, and civilian workforce salaries. Major initiatives such as the $27.3 million East Barracks Project, the $55.75 million Collective Training Officers Quarters, and previously completed barracks and headquarters structures contribute directly to local economic stimulation.
Historical data reveals fluctuating but substantial annual investments: FY 2019 saw $27.6 million in construction and $120.56 million in operations; FY 2020, $50.3 million and $194.4 million respectively; FY 2021, $39.4 million and $249.88 million; FY 2022, $42.5 million and $391.46 million; FY 2023, $58 million and $346 million; and FY 2024, $92.6 million in construction with $170 million in operating costs. The FY 2025 figures will be finalized in early 2026.
Leadership emphasizes that these investments not only enhance military readiness but also benefit regional contractors, as most construction contracts are awarded to local firms. Fort McCoy’s long-term vision includes becoming a premier training and mobilization center by 2030, with plans for a permanent Black Hawk helicopter unit by 2028. Its mission centers on preparing personnel for overseas operations and maintaining readiness across all service branches.
As the only U.S. Army post in Wisconsin, Fort McCoy supports over 100,000 military personnel annually in field and classroom settings. Its motto, “Total Force Training Center,” reflects its commitment to comprehensive readiness. The sustained funding and infrastructure development underscore its strategic importance and ongoing contribution to both national defense and regional economic stability.
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New construction to continue to contribute to McCoy’s economic impact into FY 2026
For years on end, Fort McCoy has had a significant economic impact with the local economies around the installation, particularly in Monroe County, Wis. n nOne big contribution to that impact is new construction at the post. Construction dollars counted by the Fort McCoy Plans, Analysis, and Integration Office show to be a key factor and contributor to the installation’s annual economic impact each fiscal year. n nFort McCoy’s total economic impact for fiscal year (FY) 2024 was an estimated $1.6 billion, Fort McCoy Garrison officials stated in April 2025, which was up from FY 2023’s total impact of $1.38 billion. That impact is expected to be around the same or higher for FY 2025. n nAs a matter of fact, since fiscal year (FY) 2019, more than $310 million has been calculated in new construction of buildings and ranges alone, reports show. Over that same time, more than $1.47 billion has also been applied to operating costs that included utilities, physical plant maintenance, repair and improvements, other new construction projects, purchases of supplies and services, and salaries for civilian contract personnel working at Fort McCoy. n nProjects at Fort McCoy like the current $27.3 million East Barracks Project, the recently completed $28.08 million South Barracks Project, and the $55.75 million Collective Training Officers Quarters Project, are among those projects adding to the economic impact going into FY 2026. n nThese projects are on top of recently completed projects like the $20.6 million and $18.8 million barracks projects as well as the $11.96 million brigade headquarters building that was fully completed in 2024. n nA former Fort McCoy Senior Commander, former 88th Readiness Division Commanding General Maj. Gen. Darrell Guthrie reflected on how important these projects are for all involved during a ribbon-cutting for the first barracks completion several years ago. n n“Projects like the transient training barracks complex are a direct result of the continued support for Fort McCoy,” Guthrie said. “And they enhance the ability of the Army, and especially the Army Reserve, to train here at Fort McCoy.” n nTaking a closer look, following are the year-by-year breakdowns of economic impact numbers for new construction and operating costs at Fort McCoy. n n— FY 2019 — $27.6 million in new construction of buildings and ranges; operating costs of $120.56 million. n n— FY 2020: $50.3 million in new construction of buildings and ranges; operating costs of $194.4 million. n n— FY 2021: $39.4 million in new construction of buildings and ranges; operating costs of $249.88 million. n n— FY 2022: $42.5 million in new construction of buildings and ranges; operating costs of $391.46 million. n n— FY 2023: $58 million in new construction of buildings and ranges; operating costs of $346 million. n n— FY 2024: $92.6 million in new construction of buildings and ranges; operating costs of $170 million. n nThe FY 2025 contribution will be calculated by early 2026. But as FY 2026 continues, the construction projects continue around the installation, and the economic impact to local communities from those projects also continues. n nIn all cases, many might say it’s been money well spent. Fort McCoy leaders have said the post has laid out a plan of goals over the next five, 10, and 15 years. For example, looking at Fort McCoy in 2030, Fort McCoy wants to be the training and mobilization center of excellence. That means when the Army Reserve thinks of training, they think of Fort McCoy. n nAnd other plans are to continue growth on post, officials said, with a resident Black Hawk company being planned on post by 2028. n n“The hundreds of millions of dollars invested in the post have benefited Fort McCoy as well the local economy, with the majority of the new construction contracts having been awarded to regional firms,” the history states in the 2025-26 Fort McCoy Guide. “Today, Fort McCoy’s primary mission is to support the readiness of the force by serving as a training center, mobilization force generation installation, and strategic support area. The installation has served in a continuing capacity as an Army power-projection site by processing and preparing military personnel for duty in overseas contingency operations.” n nFort McCoy’s motto is to be the “Total Force Training Center.” n nLocated in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin. n nThe installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services nearly every year since 1984. n nLearn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/fortmccoywi, and on X (formerly Twitter) by searching “usagmccoy.” n nAlso try downloading the My Army Post app to your smartphone and set “Fort McCoy” or another installation as your preferred base. Fort McCoy is also part of Army’s Installation Management Command where “We Are The Army’s Home.”