Office of Military and Defense

Military and Defense is one of Florida’s most significant industry clusters, accounting for over 860,000 direct and indirect jobs and an annual economic impact of $96.6 Billion.  A 2023 Department of Defense (DOD) report noted that Florida is ranked fourth highest state in the nation for Defense spending, with $30.2 Billion allocated for Fiscal Year 2022.

With 20 major military installations, Florida boasts a significant presence of DOD personnel, ranking fifth highest among all U.S. states. Additionally, Florida is home to more than 1.4 million veterans and their families, the third largest state by veteran population in the nation. 

Recognizing the value and impact of the industry cluster and its importance to the state, FloridaCommerce established the Office of Military and Defense on July 1, 2023. Housed within the Division of Economic Development, the office enables FloridaCommerce to engage with Florida's military and defense communities to streamline business and economic development efforts, provide further support for Florida's military families, and protect military installations.