Created in 2011, the Florida Defense Support Task Force is governed by section 288.987, Florida Statutes.
The mission of the Task Force is to make recommendations to preserve and protect military installations to support the state’s position in research and development related to or arising out of military missions and contracting and to improve the state’s military-friendly environment for servicemembers, military dependents, military retirees, and businesses that bring military and base-related jobs to the state.
FloridaCommerce supports and contracts with the task force for expenditure of appropriated funds, which may be used by the Task Force for:
- Economic and product research and development
- Joint planning with host communities to accommodate military missions and prevent base encroachment
- Advocacy on the state’s behalf with federal civilian and military officials,
- Assistance to school districts in providing a smooth transition for large numbers of additional military-related students
- Job training and placement for military spouses in communities with high proportions of active-duty military personnel
- Promotion of the state to military and related contractors and employers
The Task Force is comprised of thirteen members, including the Governor or their designee, and four members each appointed by the Governor, the President of the Florida Senate, and the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. The Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce, or their designee, serves as the ex officio, nonvoting executive director of the Task Force.