Tim McGregor, executive director of the Florida Defense Support Commission, briefed the Florida Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space and Domestic Security on the commission’s work to protect military missions, support communities and connect military families to state services.

McGregor said the commission and its partner office at the Department of Commerce track economic impact — he cited an estimated defense‑related economic contribution of about $102.6 billion and roughly 866,000 direct and indirect jobs statewide — and work to prevent encroachment, support workforce development and help military families access state benefits.

He described the commission’s statutory origin and recent changes: the body traces to a 2011 task force, was reconstituted and renamed as the Florida Defense Support Commission and became a direct support organization of the Department of Commerce after enactment of Senate Bill 1420 in 2024. Statutory charges include preserving military installations, supporting missions and improving military‑friendly programs.

McGregor said the commission oversees several grant lines — the Florida Defense Support Commission Grant, the Defense Infrastructure Grant and the Defense Reinvestment Grant — and reported the commission awarded about $9.1 million between 2019 and 2024 to support land acquisition, encroachment mitigation and other mission‑protection work. He gave examples of funded projects: a security gate funded to allow access between a Leonardo Helicopters facility and NAS Whiting Field, and other encroachment mitigation and planning efforts.

On family and workforce support, McGregor described a military benefits guide produced by the commission and the Department of Commerce (available at floridajobs.org) and a spouse licensing reciprocity matrix the office maintains to help transferring military spouses and dependents determine licensing reciprocity for professions such as cosmetology or HVAC. He said the commission printed 6,000 copies of the benefits guide in an initial run and that the materials are available online.

The executive director described frequent outreach and base visits — tours of Homestead Air Reserve Base, Whiting Field, Naval Station Mayport, MacDill, Camp Blanding, US Southern Command and others — and said the commission meets publicly during session in Tallahassee and around the state. McGregor said the commission currently operates on roughly a $2 million annual budget and that he is advocating for a $5 million budget to expand grantmaking and outreach.

Sen. Sharif asked about Lockheed Martin’s Center for Innovation; McGregor described simulation and simulator‑video content work in Orlando and local ties to simulation talent from area universities. Committee members thanked McGregor for the briefing; no formal committee action followed.

The commission’s materials, grant lists and benefits guide are included in the committee’s packet.