Maryland ranks 4th in defense spending in 2020, according to a Department of Defense report – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) – Maryland received the 4th largest amount of money from the Department of Defense in fiscal year 2020, according to a recently published report from the department’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation.

According to the report, a total of $30.4 billion was spent by the state on defense contracts and salaries of servicemen. The Maryland Department of Commerce said on Tuesday the state received $4 billion more than the previous fiscal year and rose one place in the rankings for total spending.

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“This report affirms Maryland’s position as a powerhouse in the defense industry. Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly M. Schulz said: “Our premier military facilities and thriving community of innovative defense contractors have attracted an increase in federal funding and continue to promote economic growth across the state. “Commerce is proud to support Maryland’s significant contributions to cybersecurity, aerospace, and other cutting-edge defense research & development areas.”

Nationally, Texas topped total defense spending with $83 billion, followed by Virginia ($64.3 billion) and California ($61 billion).

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According to the report, defense spending accounts for 7% of Maryland’s gross domestic product, and 5.1% of the Pentagon’s budget is allocated to the state.

Local defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman topped the earners list, with $2.7 billion and $2 billion, respectively. Johns Hopkins University, whose Applied Physics Laboratory develops weapons systems and national security programs, received $1.5 billion. Federal Resources Supply, a maker of tactical equipment and other supplies, received $1.4 billion, the report said.

Schulz has advertised several of her agency’s programs to assist defense contractors, including a networking tool and funding assistance to help companies comply with federal cybersecurity regulations.

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A total of 95,491 Marylanders are serving in the military, of which 50% are civilian employees and 30% are active-duty. The report says the total payroll of the Department of Defense in the state is 8 billion USD, ranking 5th in the country.