State should be leader in aerospace, defense sector
As a native Oklahoman, I am proud of the strides our state had made in the last two decades. By most metrics, Oklahomans are wealthier, healthier, better educated, and have access to more cultural amenities than at any time in our state’s history. Yet despite this progress, Oklahoma continues to rank near the bottom nationally in key indicators like educational attainment, health outcomes and median household income.
During my tenure in the Trump Administration, I was privileged to work on issues at the intersection of economic and national security: rebuilding the U.S. military, renegotiating unfair trade deals that harmed U.S. workers and businesses, and strengthening the defense industrial base required to support our men and women in uniform.
I saw firsthand the positive impact that a strong defense and aerospace industry can have on states and communities.
Take Huntsville, Alabama, which has attracted major aerospace companies in recent years and experienced an economic renaissance. Or the Space Coast of Florida, which has seen a similar revival of its economic fortunes through a careful courting of major companies in the defense sector.
Oklahoma — and particularly Oklahoma County — has all the ingredients to become a major hub of the defense and aerospace industries. Close proximity to the University of Oklahoma and its pool of talented engineers, scientists and managers, as well as a heavy military presence across the state, make the area an attractive location for major companies. And Oklahoma City, in particular, has devoted years to becoming the type of “Big League City” that can attract national corporations.
What Oklahoma needs to become a major player in
Expanding our defense and aerospace sector offers the perfect opportunity to “do good while doing well.”
the defense and aerospace sectors is a concerted effort by the political, business and civic leaders at the state, county and local levels. We have seen this happen before, most prominently with the MAPS initiative that laid the foundation for Oklahoma City’s emergence as a major regional city. With a concerted effort, across party lines, Oklahoma City was able to revitalize its downtown, incentivize new businesses and cultural endeavors, and successfully host a major sports franchise.
As companies in traditional aerospace and defense states like California, New York and Illinois seek an exit from high taxes, deteriorating quality of life and dysfunctional political leadership, Oklahoma has a rare opportunity. We can begin actively courting major companies, as well as start-ups, to make their home in Oklahoma. Our cultural identity as a proudly pro-military state, with a political and business leadership that knows how to work together to accomplish big things, is uniquely attractive.
The time is now to attract some of the country’s leading defense and aerospace companies. Not only will such an effort bring in high-paying jobs and raise the quality of life for all Oklahomans, it also will help to diversify our economy at a time of relentless pressure on the energy sector. As Oklahoma looks for ways to build a solid economic foundation for the decades ahead and to raise the standard of living of all Oklahomans, expanding our defense and aerospace sector offers the perfect opportunity to “do good while doing well.”
Alexander B. Gray served as deputy assistant to President Trump and chief of staff of the White House National Security Council (2019-2021) and special assistant to Trump for the Defense Industrial Base (2017-2018). He is the co-founder of an international consulting firm, American Global Strategies LLC.