The importance of the defense industry in our nation’s economic strength and development cannot be overstated. In fact, defense contract spending averages more than $7 billion per state.
In Rhode Island alone, where SENEDIA is headquartered, the defense cluster is of tremendous strategic importance to the economy. It is an innovative and high-tech sector that contributes to economic growth, generates high-paying jobs, and has been resilient despite economic downturns. The latest RI data shows more than $4.3 billion in annual economic impact and a total employment share of 6.2 percent of the state’s workforce.