The north country's largest employer is unsurprisingly touting a record impact on the surrounding area of $1.46 billion during the 2006-07 fiscal year.

A Fort Drum economic impact statement released Friday states the base — home to the 10th Mountain Division — has injected more than $10.5 billion into the area's economy since it's inception in 1988.

Almost 17,000 soldiers and 3,960 civilians are employed by the base, with payrolls totaling $795.4 million and $135.3 million, respectively. The base's fiscal year ended on Sept. 30.

The base spent $343.5 million on housing projects with Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes, the installation's housing privatization partner, the release states.

"Fort Drum Community Homes continues to deliver housing services to the soldiers and their families stationed at Fort Drum," said William Bamann, public works housing chief, in the release. "FDMCH also supports the local economy by contracting much of its work with local and small businesses, totaling over $140 million to date."

The Army states that it secured contracts for construction, supplies and services totaling more than $89 million. The Army Corps of Engineers awarded construction contracts totaling $234.4 million for work at Fort Drum.

The report was prepared by the posts' Office of Plans, Analysis and Integration, which acknowledged that the complete economic impact of the post is incalculable.