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Defense Support Initiatives Committee

Defense Support Initiatives Committee, DSI

As a military isssues advocacy group, the DSI is comprised of 25 community and business leaders, including retired military personnel, defense contractors and representation from the seven Military Affairs Committees from Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties surrounding Eglin AFB. The mission of the DSI is to support and promote the local military installations, missions and their positive
economic contributions to the tri-county area.  The 2020 Florida Defense Handbook reported the annual economic impact of the military presence in the tri-county region as exceeding $10,974,200,000—topping $9B in Okaloosa County alone with over 78,000 jobs.

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The Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County (EDC) is recognized by the State of Florida as the official representative and lead agency in the Okaloosa County area for base-community initiatives.  The EDC originated the Defense Support Initiatives Committee (DSI) in 1996 to provide a forum dedicated to the preservation of the Eglin Test and Training Complex and its contributions to National Security.   

DSI Charter                     DSI Brochure             Initiatives

Military Installations

Okaloosa County, Florida hosts the largest installation in the Department of Defense; Eglin Air Force Base.  Eglin AFB spans 724 square miles of land area across three counties, 134,000 square miles of overland air space, and hosts multiple military service units and the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range.

Learn more  

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Initiatives

As an issues focused advocacy group, the DSI interfaces at local, state and Federal levels on topics of local and national interest. As applicable, background information and position papers on specific items are developed and shared with Congressional Delegation, Pentagon staffs and Tallahassee leaders. Collaborative initiatives are engaged through partnerships with entities such as the Florida Defense Alliance and the Florida Defense Support Task Force.  Click below for more topic information.       

Southeast Range Complex Concept 2016      Gulf of Mexico Oil Drilling 2010       Northwest FL Military Mission Line 2017

Washington DC Fly-In 2018                   GRE Position Paper 2017

Preserving Military Readiness in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico        DSI Offshore Drilling - Letter to Editor 2018
   
Eastern Gulf Military Readiness OCEANA 2019         2020 FL Defense Factbook Quick Sheet
                 
2020 Legislative Summary Brochure           2020 DC Legislative Point-Paper                           

2020 Letter to Senate Energy & Natural Resources

Great American Defense Community

Beginning in 2016, the National Association of Defense Communities recognizes communities that go above and beyond to support service members and the military family quality of life through the Great American Defense Community program. The EDC of Okaloosa County nominated the Eglin-Hurlburt community for consideration as an inaugural designee of this prestigious award.  With demonstrated long-standing and unwavering support and innovative initiatives benefiting military personnel and families, the Eglin-Hurlburt Community received the Great American Defense Community designation.  

What is a Great American Defense Community?

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