“These numbers are yet another indicator that the Tar Heel state is becoming a very significant player in the global military and defense industry cluster,” said Gov. Perdue. “The time to capitalize on this trend is now, to leverage expanding markets, capture federal revenues and grow jobs right here in North Carolina, the most military friendly state in America.”

“Defense spending in North Carolina is critical to expanding our economy and growing jobs in North Carolina,” said Scott Dorney, executive director of the North Carolina Military Business Center. Businesses in 93 of North Carolina’s 100 counties performed defense-related work in 2008, according to Dorney. The military has a $23.4 billion total annual impact on the state economy, according to data from the Department of Commerce.