Defense & Homeland Security
Pinellas County has been at the forefront for decades in defense and homeland security to help usher in the next wave of mission-critical technology by offering the tools, resources, and the environment to provide businesses the leading edge in all major military and government markets.
Securing the future.
Nearly every major defense and homeland security contractor from the U.S. and abroad has significant operations in Florida. Innovative technology solutions, industry giant partnerships, advanced manufacturing, and a strong workforce pipeline keep Pinellas County among the top destinations for the nation’s leading contractors to thrive.
Defense and homeland security takes center stage in Pinellas County with four military installations – U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, US Army Reserve MEDEVAC, Florida National Guard 48th WMD CST, Army National Guard 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Pinellas is uniquely positioned only miles from Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base (6th Air Mobility Wing for airlift and refueling) which hosts two, four-star Combatant Commands: U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
Contractors in Pinellas can tap into the power of the 3rd largest veteran population in the in Florida, and the next generation of local talent from institutions such as St. Petersburg College, University of South Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and Veterans Florida to support the growing need for a secured digital environment and to support critical, high-value projects. Projects from Pinellas companies in the areas of aviation, aerospace, electronics, advanced radar, radio frequency systems, space defense systems, satellites, ordnance, optics, photonics, tactical intelligence, cyber defense, military forensics and much more are transforming the defense and homeland security industry.
CONTACT US.
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Industry Leaders
Quick Facts
40,000+
Direct and indirect jobs are related to Pinellas defense sector employment.
84,100+
Veterans call Pinellas County home.
4th
Best Tax Climate in the nation is Florida.
3rd
Largest manufacturing base in the state of Florida is in Pinellas County.
Connect with us.
For more information about Pinellas’ Defense & Homeland Security industry, contact:
Scott Talcott, Economic Development Manager.
News & Success Stories
Stay updated on the latest business news in Pinellas County.
Review the Latest News
about Business in Pinellas
$8 billion Foot Locker begins ‘lace up’ pilgrimage to St. Petersburg
Footlocker now among companies that ‘become St. Pete’
Florida Seating Expands in Pinellas County, Florida
the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark Florida Seating’s expansion in Pinellas County. Florida Seating used Pinellas County’s Employment Sites Program (ESP) to help finance the expansion, which added more than 18,000 square feet of manufacturing space and ten new jobs to the company’s campus.
Pinellas County Business News – February 2025
A fresh issue of our monthly newsletter is out now, highlighting our Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report. Our team’s work directly and indirectly resulted in the creation or retention of more than 2,000 jobs in Pinellas, over $56M in contract awards to local businesses, and more than $95M in capital investment. Read the full issue to find more details about our achievements, as well as information and opportunities for growing businesses.
