Defense industry highlights big contributions to state economy

USA army uniform over national flag - studio shot
The industry proved itself resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Military industry leaders highlighted the economic impact of Florida’s defense industry at a Senate committee meeting Tuesday.

The defense industry in 2018 contributed $94.9 billion to the state economy and created 914,787 jobs, according to data shared with lawmakers.

“I think it’s important to understand that that beat tourism in a record tourism year,” said Terrance McCaffrey, a U.S. Air Force retiree and Vice President of Military and Defense Programs at Enterprise Florida.

The economic impact of the defense industry surpassed the tourism industry by $3.6 billion and the health care industry by $5.4 billion in 2018.

“This defense industry remains stable, even in a COVID environment … Defense is going to be a resilient industry for our state (and) is very important to the economy of Florida,” McCaffrey told members of the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space and Domestic Security committee.

In all, Florida hosts 21 major military installations, which ranks second most in the country behind California. More than 65,000 active duty service members and nearly 25,000 reserve members reside in Florida.

There is good reason why Florida hosts the second most military installations, McCaffrey explained: Florida’s investment in training environments and extensive ranges.

“Florida brings a strategic advantage for military instillations,” McCaffrey said, adding that quality of life for service members and their families is among other major incentives.

The defense industry presentation comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis seeks to fortify Florida as the most military-friendly state in the nation. In early June, the Republican Governor signed three military benefit bills. The bills bolstered educational and career opportunities for Florida’s more than 1.5 million veterans and active-duty service members.

“Florida leads in all the friendly legislation that, again, this body, and the Florida Legislature passes,” McCaffrey said. “It is an advantage to come to Florida as a military member.”

Jason Delgado

Jason Delgado covers news out of the Florida State Capitol. After a go with the U.S. Army, the Orlando-native attended the University of Central Florida and earned a degree in American Policy and National Security. His past bylines include WMFE-NPR and POLITICO Florida. He'd love to hear from you. You can reach Jason by email ([email protected]) or on Twitter at @byJasonDelgado.



#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories