North Carolina is home to the third largest concentration of military personnel in the nation. The state hosts 7 military installations including the Army at Ft. Bragg and Sunny Point, the Air Force at Pope AFB and Seymour Johnson AFB, and the Marines at Camp Lejeune, MCAS New River and MCAS Cherry Point, the N.C. National Guard and the Army and Air Force Reserve. In addition, the US Coast Guard has 14 installations in North Carolina, including the Coast Guard Support Center at Elizabeth City.
Leading the effort to support and sustain the military in North Carolina is the Advisory Commission of Military Affairs (ACMA). The commission was created by the General Assembly in 2001 to advise both the Governor and the Secretary of Commerce on how best to protect our existing military infrastructure and to promote new military missions and economic opportunities for the State.
The ACMA recently released a report,
Economic Impact Study of N.C.'s Military Presence, prepared by the N.C. Department of Commerce, which indicates that the military has a significant impact on the economy of the state by employing (both directly and indirectly) over 400,000 people in N.C. In addition, the financial impact on the state's economy was projected to be in excess of $23 billion, or almost 7% of the Gross State Product.
The ACMA consists of 21 members appointed by the Governor, the President Pro Tem of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. In addition, there are several ex officio members, including the commanding officer of each of the installations in the state. Read the General Statutes here.
Al King serves as chairman of the ACMA. 
2010 Members of the N.C. ACMA
The ACMA was involved in the BRAC process and continues to advocate and promote policy to keep North Carolina the Most Military Friendly State in America. The Commission provides a forum for interaction between the military bases, the State, local communities and N.C. business.
Two regional planning organizations exist to address the extensive military growth in North Carolina, the BRAC Regional Task Force to address issues related to the relocation of FORSCOM and USARC to Ft. Bragg and the Eastern Military Task Force to assist with the planning related to the growth in mission at Camp Lejeune. Many other organizations, both publicly and privately funded, contribute to the development of the military sector in N.C. The organizations include the NC Military Business Center, the Defense and Security Technology Accelerator, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the N.C. Military Foundation.
The Department of Commerce co-sponsored a conference Nov. 10, 2009, on the Military/Performance Textiles field. See the conference presentations and materials.
Government Procurement
These resources can help your community leverage the presence of the military in North Carolina to promote economic development and quality of life for all its citizens.
Selling to the U.S. Government
US Defense Contracts
From uniforms to spare parts, from fuel to rations, DLA is the supplier of choice for America's fighters. Customers and vendors can check here for links to buying and selling opportunities.
Federal Business Opportunities
FedBizOpps.gov is the single government point-of-entry for federal government procurement opportunities over $25,000.
SBTDC Selling to Federal Government
The North Carolina Procurement Technical Assistance Center, associated with North Carolina’s Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) provides procurement assistance by offering no-fee counseling on selling products and/or services to government agencies.
NC Military Business Center
The NC Military Business Center’s mission is to increase military business for existing North Carolina companies, to integrate transitioning military personnel into the workforce and to support recruitment of defense-related industry to North Carolina.
MatchForce
MatchForce matches North Carolina businesses to government contracts, government purchasers, NC suppliers and job seekers to NC jobs.
Small Business Administration
The SBA’s Government Contracting and Business Development Office increases small business access to procurement opportunities using educational, training and counseling forums.
Central Contractor Registration
The Central Contractor Registration web site includes guidelines for registering as a company that engages in buying or selling goods/services to federal agencies.
Selling to North Carolina State Government
Register for North Carolina e-Procurement
E-Procurement at Your Service helps manage purchasing efficiently and effectively by helping you purchase goods and services from a network of vendors in a web-based system.
Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses
The HUB Office provides vendors access to online vendor registration, conducts online HUB designation, and provides technical assistance and training on how to conduct business with North Carolina government purchasing and construction arms.