(Published in the November/December 2009 Edition of Quality Cities magazine – A Publication of the Florida League of Cities)

The number one responsibility of the federal government is to protect American lives. In ensuring that we meet this benchmark, we must guarantee that our armed forces have the proper training and equipment to do an effective and efficient job.

The stability and strength of the military stands front and center across Capitol Hill, and I continue to advocate strongly for our Armed Forces from my seat on the House Appropriations Committee. Although keeping the military at the ready is the most important role of the federal government, it could not be accomplished without communities dedicated to this unique federal – state partnership.

Our troops must remain the best equipped and trained in the world, and our cities play a critical role in maintaining this high standard. For this significant contribution, they realize economic benefits that make this alliance a mutually beneficial one.

Economic impact:

In Duval County alone, $382 million is collected in state and city revenues, due as a result of defense spending in our local communities. 

One aircraft carrier alone brings an economic impact of $350 million per year, the equivalent of one Super Bowl each and every year. And, an entire basin of ships at Naval Station Mayport brings in almost $600 million. A strong secondary impact to the ship repair community and additional work from vendors and contractors serving the base stands to follow. 

In 2005, the Base Alignment and Closure Commission moved over 2,500 people to the Jacksonville area by relocating P-3 surveillance aircraft squadrons from Maine and the entire Southeast Navy civil engineering team from Charleston, South Carolina.

These moves not only bolstered the mission of Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, they provided a tremendous boost to the Jacksonville economy.

In just under four years, ground has been broken on three major military construction projects totaling over $204 million at NAS Jacksonville. All three are listed on Jacksonville Business Journal's top 28 commercial construction projects of 2007, demonstrating the positive impact additional military missions can have across the spectrum of regional businesses.

Sometimes the sheer amount of these numbers can dull their impact, but I firmly believe very few commercial developments can generate that impact in one calendar year.

In addition to these large projects, the Department of Defense is executing a major renovation to the Naval Fleet Hospital, beginning long term development projects for the US Marine Corps at Blount Island and major housing development projects for Mayport, Jacksonville and Kings Bay.

In many areas of Florida, the housing market has pulled the rug out from under the construction industry. But, in places like Jacksonville, thanks to the robust military presence, we are providing contractors and subcontractors with millions of dollars of work.

Economic development:

Local communities can use the presence of a strong defense infrastructure as a tool for economic development. 

The magnet for Northeast Florida has been the Fleet Readiness Center (FRC, formerly the Navy Depot) - the largest industrial employer in the region and only one of three Navy repair centers in the country tasked with the maintenance and rebuilding of all Navy aircraft.

The workforce employed by FRC has helped mold Northeast Florida into a military aviation repair center of excellence and allowed the local community to continue to use these assets as tools for economic development.

Many times the FRC is tasked with a major overhaul of one particular airframe. When this occurs military and industrial specialists from all over the nation come to Jacksonville to plan and execute these major repairs.

Currently, the FRC is working to extend the life of the P-3 surveillance squadron which will bring additional contractors and civilian work to our community, and I am working with the Navy to ensure that any additional work for the F-18 fighter jet will also come to our FRC.

The Center is responsible for attracting large defense companies such as Northrop Grumman, Boeing, L-3, Embraer, and Alenia to come to settle in the area and establish maintenance and production facilities.

Today, companies such as GE, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, AAI, and many others are working in partnership with our local Navy team. These relationships help solidify Northeast Florida’s reputation as a smart and profitable place to do military aviation business.

Role of the state and local communities:

Thankfully, incentives provided to military personnel in many areas make our local cities and towns wonderful places to live and raise a family.

For example, all military personnel and their dependents receive in-state tuition at any of Florida’s 11 state universities and 33 community colleges.   And, military children who transfer into Florida’s public school system as high school seniors are exempt from the exit exam requirement for graduation.

Military spouses who are legally certified in another state in teaching or nursing may practice in Florida if they are transferred here due to their spouse’s military change in assignment.

In my own community of Jacksonville, our City Council has recognized the sacrifices of active duty service members deployed to a combat zone. Since 2005, it has authorized the payment of an “Active Military Combat Duty Grant” to qualified military personnel.

This grant, up to $800, is awarded to a service member who is a Duval County homesteaded property owner and who serves 90 days or more on the ground in a combat zone.  This is essentially a rebate on the service member’s ad valorem city tax contribution.

A capable military is not solely produced by our efforts in Washington.  The actions of our communities and the state legislature are integral to enhancing the quality of life in our great state. This partnership, in turn, stimulates recruitment and retention, and the desire of our military leadership to maintain and grow its presence in Florida.


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