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training post. By 1944, the Fort's total civilian and military personnel had reached 19,000. After the War, the Fort's significance was diminished until it was expanded into a permanent military installation in the early 1950s. The North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) was established at Ent Air Force Base in 1957 and moved its Combat Operations Center into Cheyenne Mountain in 1963. In 1975, the Air Force constructed support facilities for NORAD at Peterson Field which enabled the U.S. Olympic Committee to occupy the Ent Air Force Base facility in 1977. The U.S. Air Force Academy opened its 18,000 acre campus north of Calorado Springs in 1958. In the last three decades, all of the military installations have become the major influences on the Pikes Peak Region's economic base. Significantly diversified industry first appeared in the City in the late 1 950s. However, growth of the manufacturing sector, particularly electronics and precision instruments and metal products, has become dramatic only in the last decade. The recent surge in manufacturing employment combined with the military and tourism currently account for the majority of the economic activity in the Region. OVERVIEW OF TODAY'S ECONOMY During the I 970s the economy and population of Colorado Springs grew at one of the fastest rates for cities of its size in the nation. Added to the growth of the two historically important sectors af the economy, tourism and the military, has been a large increase in other sectors, particularly manufacturing, trade and services. This diversification has been very welcome because of concerns over heavy reliance upon the military and on tourism. Historically such lack of diversity caused the economy to be vulnerable to severe recessions, produced a low median income level, and provided only limited employment opportunities. Two relatively recent changes in the economy stand out because of their magnitude and possible impact on the future of the City. The first is the increase in manufacturing employment, especially the influx of a number of microelectronics manufacturing, assembly and research firms in the last decade. The second major change in Colorado Springs' economic base has been the decline in military and military-related employment. The percentage of total employment in the area attributable to the military has declined from 33% in 1970 to 21% in 1979. I ,I I I ,I 'I' I I I: I I, I' I I I I I I I Each of these major changes is discussed in detail in this profile as well as the following economic characteristics: major employment sectors, labor force characteristics, income levels, cost-of- living figures, other indicators and employment forecasts. MAJOR EMPLOYMENT SECTORS In terms of overall influence, the military, manufacturing and tourism rank os the primary sectors of the local economy. Other industries compete in terms of employment or earnings, but are generally dependent on these three. . " - , ......---""--, Manufacturing Industry first became an influence on the local economy after World War II when, fearing the closure of the military bases, the Chamber af Cammerce began recruiting industry. The result was an influx of small businesses which totaled over 200 by the mid-I 950s. However, manufacturing was not a significant factor in the economy until the 1 970s, 35