NC Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Jake Cashion joined Spectrum News’ In Focus to discuss North Carolina’s opportunity to strengthen its position in defense manufacturing and innovation and why growing the state’s defense economy matters for long-term competitiveness. Despite being home to major military installations and its status as a top state for business, North Carolina ranks 30th nationally in defense spending as a share of GDP.

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In May, the NC Chamber and the NC Critical Technologies Alliance launched the First in Defense Coalition, an industry-led effort to position North Carolina as a top state for defense manufacturing and innovation and ensure the state captures a greater share of growing federal defense investment.