Recently, the FloridaCommerce Office of Military and Defense and the Florida Defense Support Commission released two reports: the Florida Defense Industry Economic Impact Analysis and the Florida Military and Defense Economic Impact Summary. These documents emphasize the economic significance of Florida's military and defense sectors.
Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly stated, "Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has become the most veteran and military friendly state in the nation." He added that military and defense represent "the second-largest industry sector in Florida," highlighting their role in protecting over 20 military installations and supporting local communities as crucial for both economic prosperity and national security.
The reports reveal that this industry cluster is among the most important in Florida, providing over 865,000 direct and indirect jobs. It contributes an annual economic impact of $102.6 billion, marking an increase of nearly 6,000 jobs and a 6.2% rise in economic activity compared to previous studies.
The biennial report titled Florida Defense Industry Economic Impact Analysis tracks defense spending impacts related to state military installations, private-sector contractors, and more than 1.6 million veterans residing in Florida. The accompanying summary condenses data from this analysis.
In collaboration with several organizations including Veterans Florida and CareerSource Florida, last year saw the launch of the Spousal License Reciprocity Matrix by the FloridaCommerce Office of Military and Defense. This tool assists military spouses with transferring or renewing professional licenses upon relocating to Florida. It provides information on over 320 licenses along with relevant contact details for licensing agencies.