North Carolina is home to the third largest concentration of military personnel in the nation. The state hosts 7 military installations at Ft. Bragg, Pope Air Force Base, Camp Lejeune, and Cherry Point, New River, Seymour Johnson, Sunny Point, the N.C. National Guard and the Army and Air Force Reserve, forming a vital part of our nation’s defensive forces. In addition, the US Coast Guard has 14 installations in North Carolina, including Elizabeth City. The military directly or through indirect contributions employs over 416,000 people in N.C., approximately 8% of the State workforce.
In 2007, the military contributed $23.4 billion, or approximately 7% of the N.C. Gross State Product annually by these installations for goods and services. Former military personnel also represent an excellent source of skilled, disciplined, goal-oriented employees for new and expanding businesses.
Leading the effort to support and sustain the military in North Carolina is the Advisory Commission of Military Affairs. The ACMA was created by the N.C. General Assembly in 2001 to advise the Governor and the Secretary of Commerce on protecting existing military infrastructure and to promote new military missions and economic opportunities for the State.
The ACMA consists of 21 members appointed by the Governor, the President Pro Tem of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. Ex Officio members include 4 members of the Governor’s cabinet, the Lt. Governor, the commanders of Ft. Bragg, Camp Lejeune, Pope Air Force Base, MCAS Cherry Point, Seymour Johnson AFB and the USCG Support Center and the commander of the N.C. National Guard. In addition to these members, the Executive Director (s) of the N.C. League of Municipalities and the Association of County Commissioners are ex officio members. Read the General Statutes here.
Mr. Troy Pate of Goldsboro has served as chairman of the commission since its creation in statute. Click the following attachment for a list of the current members of the commission.
2008 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.
ACMA commissioned the 2004 Economic Impact Study, which showed the impact on North Carolina at $18b annually. The ACMA has recently released a report,
Economic Impact Study of N.C.'s Military Presence, prepared by the N.C. Department of Commerce showing 2007 impact with projections out to 2013.
Two regional planning organizations exist to address the extensive military growth in North Carolina, the BRAC RTF (BRAC Regional Task Force) surrounding Ft. Bragg and the Eastern NC Military Task Force surrounding Camp Lejeune, MCAS Cherry Point and MCAS New River. Additionally, other organizations funded both by the state and by private dollars contribute to the development of the military sector in North Carolina. Some of these organizations are the NC Military Business Center, the Defense and Security Technology Accelerator and the NC Military Foundation.
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.