A new coalition is bringing together Arizona defense contractors in the hopes of fostering more community and collaboration, reducing unnecessary costs and fostering a regulatory environment that encourages innovation.
AZDIC said that it will promote transparency and engagement and bring greater unity across the industry in the state, which is home to 1,250 defense contractors in fields such as electronic systems, smart automation, precision machining and advanced materials, generating $10 billion in economic impact and responsible for more than 76,000 direct and indirect jobs. Arizona is also home to six military installations and four National Guard operations.
“We are proud to form AZDIC and carry out Senator John McCain’s legacy,” Smith said in a statement. “He believed in the importance of collaboration between Arizona’s defense industry, installations, and Congress, and we will actively work with U.S. Congress to address ongoing defense concerns and positively influence both state and nationwide policy.”In addition to defense industry members, AZDIC includes mining, military, veterans and other organizations.