North Carolina Critical Technologies Alliance and NC Chamber Launch First in Defense Coalition
This week, the NC Chamber and the North Carolina Critical Technologies Alliance announced launch of the First in Defense Coalition, an industry-led effort to position North Carolina as a top state for defense manufacturing and innovation.
“North Carolina has built a track record of leading in industries that define the future,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido. “Our military presence, veteran workforce, world-class universities and community colleges, and advanced manufacturing base position us to compete at the highest level. The First in Defense Coalition aims to translate those assets into defense manufacturing wins for North Carolina.”
The coalition is focused on three core priorities: elevating defense as a key economic opportunity for North Carolina, accelerating entrepreneurship and innovation in critical technologies, and positioning the state to attract and grow defense companies from across the United States and key global markets.
“This is an important moment for North Carolina and for the country,” said Jarrett Lane, co-founder of the North Carolina Critical Technologies Alliance. “The federal government is making extraordinary investments into revitalizing and expanding the industrial base, as well as ensuring American leadership in technologies like AI and quantum. Venture investment into early-stage defense companies hit a record $49B last year. The states that help defense and dual-use companies grow, scale, and innovate can create thousands of high-quality jobs. North Carolina has the assets to compete, but capturing this opportunity will come down to speed, coordination, and execution.”
The coalition will convene members of North Carolina’s defense ecosystem and federal leaders in Washington, D.C. this summer. International engagement is also a priority, with a presence planned at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris this June. Founding members of the coalition include North Carolina State University, NSTXL, Duke University, RTI International, the Institute of Digital Engineering, the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, and the Wireless Research Center.
The Defense industry is the second largest employer in North Carolina. Several large military bases are located in North Carolina, making it a natural location for the defense industry.
