These days, when you visit a café in Rapid City, you can definitely hear discussions about the B-21 at the next table. Whether it's construction workers in yellow safety vests or business owners talking about deliveries to the base, the topics seem to be quite similar.

So this time, I decided to set aside emotions and check the numbers first. There's talk of a new bomber arriving at Ellsworth Air Force Base, and I was curious if it would actually lead to more jobs.

First, let's talk about timing. According to a report by Military Times on July 30, the first operational B-21 is scheduled to be delivered to Ellsworth in 2027.

This means that at this point, the aircraft has not yet arrived. There were rumors it would come this year, but the Air Force has confirmed the delivery date as 2027.

The same report mentions that the Air Force has expedited the delivery schedule thanks to a 25% increase in production capacity. The Air Force aims to acquire at least 100 B-21s, indicating that this is a long-term project.

In the meantime, preparatory work is visibly underway. On September 9, the B-21 Integration Detachment 1 was officially established at the base.

This unit is responsible for getting maintenance certification, logistics, communications, and mission planning ready in advance. In other words, it's like a team that organizes the house before guests arrive.

The scale of construction is quite large. Industry media ClearanceJobs reported that the infrastructure upgrades at Ellsworth are valued at $2 billion.

The reconstruction of the runway alone cost $129.5 million and was completed after 10 months of construction, finishing in November 2025. The runway length is said to be 13,497 feet.

The stealth coating restoration facility cost $161 million, while the wash rack and maintenance hangar are valued at $81 million. These two facilities are among the first to be completed.

Meanwhile, most of the B-1B bombers stationed at the base have been relocated to Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota during 2025. This explains why the skies have been quiet for a while.

Just looking at the numbers is jaw-dropping. The sight of golden cranes standing in the middle of the plains didn't happen by chance.

So what about jobs? According to the same media outlet, there are over 4,100 military and civilian personnel directly employed by Ellsworth.

When including indirect employment, it supports 10,000 jobs in South Dakota, with an economic impact exceeding $900 million annually. It is said to be the largest single employer in western South Dakota.

However, I want to point out one thing here. It's difficult to say exactly how many new jobs will be created due to the B-21, as the criteria vary across different sources.

Therefore, I thought it was more honest to look at the current labor market numbers rather than saying something like "thousands of jobs will be created." I checked the data from the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR).

As of September 2026, the unemployment rate in the Rapid City metropolitan area is 1.7%. This is lower than 1.9% in the same month last year.

However, the labor force is 80,432, which is actually down from 82,293 a year ago. This was somewhat surprising.

The local figures for October have not yet been released, so September is the most recent data available. The statewide unemployment rate for the same month was 2.0%.

What does such a low unemployment rate mean? It indicates a market where there aren't enough workers.

Thus, the effect of the B-21 seems to lean more towards "finding more of the already scarce workers" rather than "jobs suddenly appearing." For job seekers, this means increased bargaining power.

Realistically, the fields where opportunities are visible can be summarized as follows. First are construction trades like electrical, plumbing, and welding.

Second are civilian positions at the base. Federal civilian job postings are available on USAJOBS, so it's convenient to search for Ellsworth and set up alerts.

Third are jobs with defense contractors, but most positions requiring security clearance demand U.S. citizenship. If you're a permanent resident, be sure to check the eligibility requirements before applying.

Fourth are the service industries where our Korean community is strong. Sectors like restaurants, laundry, cleaning, and rentals are areas where an increase in personnel is immediately felt.

In any case, those who take action first will have an advantage rather than waiting for job postings. Keeping an eye on local job fairs or short courses at community colleges is also a good strategy.

Of course, there are concerns as well. When people flock to an area, rent and housing prices, as well as school capacities, tend to become tight, which is something any city experiences.

The state legislature's research office has long identified school capacity as an issue. They believe that mechanisms should be in place to ensure that the benefits of development are distributed evenly among existing residents.

If it were me, I would spend time preparing rather than having high expectations right now. I think having a certification or a polished resume ready in advance is the best investment.

I'm curious how Rapid City's landscape will change on the day in 2027 when unfamiliar black wings pass through the blue sky. I'll compare the numbers again then.