Hagan Promotes NC Defense Jobs at Defense Trade Show in Fayetteville

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) was in Fayetteville on Monday and Tuesday to host the North Carolina Defense Trade Show and promote growth in the state's defense industry. The 10th annual Defense Trade Show brought together more than 500 North Carolina businesses, major defense contractors and senior leaders from Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, Forces Command, Army Reserve Command and North Carolina bases.

"I was honored to once again host the North Carolina Defense Trade Show with Sen. Burr and Rep. Kissell," Hagan said. "Defense contracts in North Carolina mean jobs in North Carolina. These businesses have the potential to spur significant job growth as our state establishes itself as a leader in the field. While North Carolina possesses the third largest military footprint in the country, we receive just over one percent of Defense Department contract dollars. I want North Carolina to be the most sought-after state in the country for defense contracting work, and this week's Trade Show was an important part of meeting that goal. I will continue working in the Senate to support our defense industry so that North Carolina is well-known for defense businesses that produce high-quality work and create jobs in our state."

Already, the military has a $23.4 billion annual impact on the North Carolina economy. Businesses in 86 of the state's 100 counties currently perform defense-related work.

According to the North Carolina Military Business Center, the Department of Defense will spend $5 to $7 billion in construction on military bases in NC by 2013. Just last month, Hagan supported the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act that allocates $750 million for military construction in North Carolina. For more information on the legislation, click here.

Hagan co-hosted the 2011 Defense Trade Show with Sen. Richard Burr, Rep. Larry Kissell, the North Carolina Military Business Center, the North Carolina Defense Business Association, the Partnership for Defense Innovation, and the University of North Carolina.

Hagan spoke at the Defense Trade Show welcome and kickoff on Tuesday, as well as the vendor breakfast. Monday, she was the keynote speaker at the North Carolina Defense Business Association luncheon, where she discussed the importance of defense contracting to North Carolina's economy and the challenges she sees facing the industry.

Source