Connecting Bases and Communities: Economic Development for Defense Communities

Defense installations are no longer isolated assets. They are the economic and strategic anchors of their regions. As mission requirements evolve, so must the relationship between military bases and the communities that support them.

This webinar explores how economic developers, installation leaders, and community stakeholders can align strategies to strengthen resilience, drive innovation, and secure long-term mission viability. Participants will gain insight into how coordinated planning, infrastructure investment, workforce development, and public-private partnerships can directly impact installation readiness and regional economic growth.

Through real-world examples and actionable frameworks, the session will highlight how communities can move beyond support roles to become active partners in national defense. From addressing infrastructure challenges and energy resilience to building talent pipelines in critical fields like cyber and advanced manufacturing, this discussion will provide a roadmap for creating mutually reinforcing ecosystems.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to position their communities as indispensable partners to their local installations while unlocking new opportunities for economic development and innovation.