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. 

Thinking about expanding in or relocating to Pinellas County? Let us help
Scott Talcott
Economic Development Manager
stalcott@pinellas.gov
(727) 464-7353
Linkedin
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Industry Leaders

Image of corporate logo for Leonardo DRS.
Image of corporate logo for General Dynamics.
Image of General Electric Logo.
Image of Honeywell Logo.
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Image of Jabil logo.
Image of corporate logo for L3 Harris.
Image of Lockheed Martin logo.

Quick Facts

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40,000+

Direct and indirect jobs are related to Pinellas defense sector employment.

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84,100+

Veterans call Pinellas County home.

4th

Best Tax Climate in the nation is Florida.

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3rd

Largest manufacturing base in the state of Florida is in Pinellas County.

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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.

Woman Finds Her Passion in Real Estate, Giving Back

Client Pamela Bell has nothing but praise for the assistance provided by Kurt Forster and the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at PCED. “I am telling you the SBDC was a godsend to me. I never would have known how to put everything together the way that it has.” Bell owns her own Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) and holds her license under Coastal Christies Property Group, LLC, which focuses on residential, investment, and commercial properties, including luxury.

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March Pinellas County Business News

This issue’s feature story is the release of a new video featuring testimonials from business leaders and CEOs in Pinellas County where they dish on the unique qualities that make Pinellas County the ideal business location. Inside, you can also learn about the upcoming free seminar hosted by Amazon and PCED on March 8, the Florida Medical Device Symposium, and more!

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