MASCOUTAH, IL (KMOX) – A new independent study commissioned by the Illinois Department of Transportation shows the three Metro-East airports have a combined economic output of $3.2 billion.

Tim Cantwell is the director of Mid-America Airport in Mascoutah, a joint-use military and civilian airfield.

“We have a tool that we can compare the state, and also the region, to other economic areas in the nation and show our value statement to potential growth,” Cantwell said.

Coupled with nearby Scott Air Force Base, Mid-America has nearly 42,000 direct and indirect jobs, a payroll of $1.5 million, and an economic output of $2.5 billion.

Cantwell says Mid-America is now a distribution center for North Bay Produce and is welcoming the return of passenger service through Allegiant Air.

The study shows Illinois’ 116 airfields support more than 337,000 jobs and a $40.9 billion economic impact. The “Metro-East Three” account for 14% of that dollar figure and more than 46,000 jobs.