"People trying to do the right thing, trying to retire so younger employees won't get caught up in a reduction in force, but ...

But one economist and local officials say the impact on Robins Air Force Base and Houston County remains uncertain. The buyout program, which provides full pay and benefits through Sept.

Robins Air Force Base generated $3.85 billion in economic impact for Georgia in 2023, a figure that underscores what's at stake as federal job cuts threaten the region's largest employer.