What will be the economic benefit to Bulgaria?
The bases will have an important economic impact. They will bring jobs to local communities surrounding the bases, for persons who match the skill sets needed by the military and for business owners and employees who supply services for the military facilities and soldiers. Bulgarian companies will have the opportunity to compete for contracts to make infrastructure improvements to the bases. Over the last couple of years, Bulgarian-American joint military exercises held at Novo Selo have brought an overall spending of more than three million dollars to Bulgaria in the form of services, supplies and equipment that was purchased from local businesses. In the last 15 years, the United States has provided over $140 million dollars in security assistance programs, including military education and training, foreign military financing and humanitarian assistance programs.
