New Jersey Phil Murphy has announced the creation of the Office of Strategic Defense Investment, a new unit within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) tasked with supporting the state’s military installations and defense sector.
The office will coordinate with state agencies, military leaders, and industry groups to attract new missions, maintain existing defense operations, and promote long-term industry growth.
New Jersey is home to several major military installations, including Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Picatinny Arsenal, Naval Weapons Station Earle, and the 177th Fighter Wing, as well as more than 7,000 defense contractors. Together, they employ more than 70,000 people and contribute billions of dollars annually to the state economy.
In Fiscal Year 2023, the Department of Defense allocated $9.4 billion to New Jersey, equal to about 1.3 percent of the state’s GDP. That figure includes $2 billion in salaries for active-duty and civilian personnel and more than $7 billion in defense contracts awarded to New Jersey companies.
Emma Corrado, NJEDA chief of staff and external affairs officer, will oversee the new office.
Just closely watch the money
Just what we need more government agencies, more political jobs for friends of the governor, and more tax dollars spent needlessly
What an absolute waste, just another way to spend money, the military has been doing fine, maybe focus on the high crime cities, Murphy is a sick human