H C B A P R E S I D E N T’ S M E S S A G E M a t t h e w H a l l –
B a r n e s & T h o r n b u r g L L P
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decision in recent memory has run through MacDill in some way or another.
But it is not just its operational impact that is impressive. MacDill has a huge economic impact in our community. It is much more than just the impact of the 15,000 troops, contractors and civilians who work at MacDill. Although, any local car dealership will tell you how much government shutdowns impact local businesses. MacDill is also responsible for managing over a billion dollars of government contracts annually. This activity sustains organizations like SOFWERX in Ybor that has helped local defense contractors( including many small and start up entities) obtain nearly $ 500 million in contracts with SOCOM in the 10 years since its founding.
And if you want to see a sliver of the type of economic impact MacDill has on the community, you can walk by the Convention Center during SOF Week. This annual convention is the premier event for the Global Special Forces Community— not just the United States but its international allies as well. Often more than 60 countries are represented with over 20,000 attendees. And every year, this event is in Tampa. This year’ s event is May 18-21. On Wednesday, May 20, at noon, SOCOM will conduct its Live Capabilities Demonstration outside the Convention Center, which will give a small taste of what is happening at MacDill( photos from previous years’ Demonstrations are featured on this issue’ s cover). Show up early as this event is always packed.
We almost lost MacDill in the early 1990s but, in my opinion at least, we were lucky to keep MacDill, and our community is positively impacted every day by the missions being run out of our own backyard. n
Welcome our neW members! see page 19.
M A y- J U N E 2 0 2 6 | H C B A L A W y E R
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