Governor Crist Signs Legislation Creating Florida Council on Military Base and Mission Support

Press Release

Governor Crist Signs Legislation Creating Florida Council on Military Base and Mission Support

~ Enhances state and local economies by safeguarding Florida's 20 military installations and defense industry ~

Governor Charlie Crist today visited Eglin Air Force Base to sign House Bill 7123, relating to military base closures, to create the Florida Council on Military Base Mission Support. The council will support and strengthen all United States Department of Defense missions and bases located throughout Florida in order to enhance the missions of the 20 installations and three unified commands in Florida as well as the nearly $60-billion-a-year defense sector of Florida's economy.

"Florida has long history of welcoming members of the military and veterans, and we are proud to have them and their families in the Sunshine State," Governor Crist said. "The council will help us maintain our reputation as the most military friendly state in the nation by better coordinating community and state support for military bases and operations throughout Florida."

Governor Crist signed the legislation at Eglin Air Force Base, the largest Air Force installation in the world. Sponsored by Representative Dave Murzin and Senator Don Gaetz, the legislation could have a significant impact on Florida's economy by helping keep the current military base infrastructure intact while promoting the transfer of additional military assets to Florida.

To ensure the continued growth of Florida's defense economic sector, the Florida Council on Military Base Mission Support will develop an understanding of the capabilities of all state military installations with the goal of supporting future growth opportunities. They will also support local community efforts by acting as liaison between local communities and the Florida Legislature. The council will help Florida support the military installations and the servicemen and women working at them by guarding against the closing of installations in Florida or realigning their resources to other states.

According to a 2008 economic study conducted by the University of West Florida Haas Center, defense-related spending is important to Florida's economy. Highlights of the study include the following:

United States Department of Defense spending flowing directly into Florida's economy totals $27.1 billion. Defense-related spending accounts for 7.5 percent of Florida's gross state product and a total of 732,300 direct and indirect jobs.

Since 2003, the economic impact of military and defense activities in Florida has increased by more than 9 percent each year, and the industry can expect continuous growth, reaching an economic impact of $59.5 billion by 2010.

Since 1999, the State of Florida has invested nearly $40 million in Defense Infrastructure Grants to fund joint-use infrastructure projects around military bases to improve or upgrade roads, water supply, power grids and communication.

Florida‘s 20 military installations are based in 13 counties. The three unified combatant commands are United States Central Command and the United States Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base and the United States Southern Command in Miami.

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