Florida strives to be the country’s most military-friendly state because not only is it good for active and retired service people, it’s good for business as well.
That was the message delivered by officers of the Florida Defense Support Task Force to a meeting of the board of directors and stakeholders of Enterprise Florida during Wednesday’s opening session at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel.
They restated the task force’s mission of preserving and protecting military installations; supporting the state’s position in research and development pertaining to military missions and contracting; and improving the state’s military-friendly environment for members and families as well as businesses that bring military base-related jobs to the state.
Last year, Gov. Rick Scott proposed $2 million in state funding for the task force, which was approved by the Legislature. Scott has included the same amount in his proposed 2018-19 budget. Enterprise Florida provides in-kind support with office space.
“Florida is blessed by having 20 military bases,” said Bruce Grant, Enterprise Florida vice president of Military and Defense. “Those bases bring about $80 billion into the state’s economy.”
In addition to those bases, Florida also is home to U.S. Southern Command in Miami, U.S. Central Command in Tampa and U.S. Special Operations Command in St. Petersburg.
That brings thousands of military and civilian personnel into the state, benefiting the economies of surrounding communities and attracting businesses for the skilled workforce the military provides as members retire.
Enterprise Florida created the Florida Defense Alliance in 1998 as a nonprofit partnership among the governor, state officials, legislators, base commanders and staff, community leaders and business executives.
It’s intent is to increase military value, enhance base capabilities and support and enhance the lives of military families.
The Florida Defense Task Force was created in 2011 and comprises 12 members: four each appointed by the governor, president of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate president.
Kellie Jo Kilberg, chair of the Florida Defense Alliance and task force member, focused her comments on base infrastructure and protecting base perimeters against development that could inhibit growth for military uses.
“What we look at is how do we add value to those installations and their missions,” Kilberg told the stakeholders group.
“Because of the Budget Control Act of 2011, our military has been working with fewer resources, and that’s why it’s important for the communities to be engaged,” she said.
That includes advocating the local governments where bases are located to preserve base perimeters for potential military expansion.
“There are 16 different types of encroachment,” Kilberg said.
“There is a big push in the military world for what is called ‘P4 projects’ — public/public/private partnerships” for base infrastructure contracting,” Kilberg said. “Don’t think that it’s just local companies that will get those contracts. Many are from the outside. These are 50-year contracts and that’s why it’s important for local communities to understand how to get engaged.”
Florida Defense Alliance workforce boards across the state also use task force grant funding to help retired military become entrepreneurs, for programs that assist military spouses and retirees transitioning into the civilian workforce, and educational programs to assist in that transition.
The benefit, Grant said, is a steady flow of skilled, disciplined military retirees into local workforces across the state and the addition of small businesses that can potentially provide additional local employment opportunities.
“With the number of installations we have here in Northeast Florida, particularly at a time when we have a 3.7 percent unemployment rate, there are highly skilled workers available that help us recruit projects knowing there is a steady flow (of military retirees) from the Jacksonville area,” Grant said.
“The installations here are the highest-requested last-duty station in the U.S. Navy and we want to continue to have these great relationships with our partners.”
Jacksonville’s military presense includes Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport.
To bolster Grant’s statement, some 80 percent of U.S. Navy retirees in Jacksonville remain in the area, according to JAXUSA President and CEO Jerry Mallot.
The programs also help military families as well.
“As new soldiers and sailors come into the area, we have a military spouse employment program that helps them assimilate into the community and get work as quickly as they can,” Grant said.