Florida Mayors urge support for F-35 fighter jets, citing huge economic impact – Florida Politics

Report on the F-35 Program’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals in Florida

Executive Summary

A coalition of nearly 30 Mayors from across Florida has formally endorsed the continuation of the F-35 Lightning II program. In a letter addressed to federal representatives, the Mayors highlighted the program’s significant contributions to local and national economies, technological innovation, and global security. These contributions directly align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Economic Growth and Decent Work (SDG 8)

The F-35 program is a major driver of economic prosperity and job creation in Florida, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 8. It promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

• Statewide Economic Impact: The program and its associated supply chain generate an annual economic impact of $21 billion in Florida.
• Job Creation: The initiative supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the state, fostering economic stability for numerous communities.
• Support for Small Businesses: Over 170 Florida companies, many of which are small and veteran-owned businesses, are integral to the F-35 supply chain, promoting inclusive growth.

County-Level Economic Contributions

1. Orange County: A $7 billion economic impact, supporting over 1,800 direct and 5,200 indirect jobs.
2. Brevard County: A $1.8 billion economic impact, sustaining 6,400 direct and over 18,000 indirect jobs.
3. Other Significant Counties: Pinellas County ($88 million), Seminole County ($87 million), and Okaloosa County ($73 million) also experience substantial economic benefits.

Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)

The program is a cornerstone of advanced manufacturing, fostering innovation and building resilient infrastructure in line with SDG 9. It relies on a sophisticated industrial base that fuels technological advancement and skilled employment.

• Advanced Manufacturing: The production of over 300,000 highly engineered parts with rigorous specifications drives innovation in the manufacturing sector.
• Skilled Workforce Development: The program creates demand for high-skilled trades, including engineering and machining, attracting and retaining a talented workforce.
• Resilient Supply Chain: With over 1,900 companies nationwide contributing to the final assembly, the program exemplifies a complex and resilient industrial infrastructure.

Peace, Stability, and Global Partnerships (SDG 16 & SDG 17)

By enhancing national and international security, the F-35 program contributes to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, a core tenet of SDG 16. Furthermore, its collaborative nature exemplifies the global partnerships for sustainable development outlined in SDG 17.

• Ensuring Peace and Stability: The Mayors’ letter asserts that investing in defense capabilities protects economic interests and ensures the stability necessary for sustainable development.
• International Collaboration: The program involves partnerships with 19 allied nations, strengthening global cooperation for security and peace.
• Domestic Partnerships: The joint letter from Florida’s Mayors to the state’s congressional delegation demonstrates a multi-level governmental partnership to achieve shared economic and security goals.

Mayoral Endorsement and Signatories

The Mayors collectively argue that congressional support for the F-35 program, through increased procurement funding, is an investment in the economic prosperity of their communities and the security of the nation. The following Mayors were signatories to the letter:

• Buddy Dyer, Orlando
• J.B. Whitten, Crestview
• Francis Suarez, Miami
• Alison Dennington, Melbourne Beach
• Jane Castor, Tampa
• Ken Welch, St. Petersburg
• Donna Deegan, Jacksonville
• Vince Lago, Coral Gables
• John Gunter, Cape Coral
• Christi Fraga, Doral
• Kevin McCann, Winter Springs
• Eric Diaz-Padron, West Miami
• Andrew Connors, Titusville
• Dean Trantalis, Fort Lauderdale
• Morris West, Haines City
• Allen Branch, Panama City
• Kevin Anderson, Fort Myers
• Bryan Nelson, Apopka
• Pat Bates, Altamonte Springs
• Steven Losner, Homestead
• Doug Lawson, Riviera Beach
• Stuart Tettemer, Panama City Beach
• Nina Rodenroth, Keystone Heights
• Daniel Henkel, Niceville
• Joshua Dieguez, Miami Lakes
• Nic Allegretto, Fort Walton Beach
• Joy Cooper, Hallandale Beach

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article extensively discusses the economic benefits of the F-35 program in Florida, including its significant economic impact, the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and the support it provides to local businesses. This directly aligns with the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and full and productive employment.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The F-35 program is portrayed as a cornerstone of the defense manufacturing industry, involving a vast supply chain of over 1,900 companies, many of which are small businesses. The article highlights the production of “highly engineered and often complex assemblies with rigorous specifications,” which points to technological innovation and the development of resilient industrial infrastructure.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The mayors’ letter frames the F-35 program as a crucial investment in national security that “ensures peace and stability.” The article mentions its use by the U.S. and 19 allied nations to “work collaboratively on the battlefield” and repel threats, connecting the program to the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies through strong defense institutions and international cooperation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances. The article’s focus on the “$21 billion in economic impact each year in Florida” and the “$72 billion economic impact across the U.S.” directly relates to sustaining economic growth.
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article mentions that the program “fuels jobs in skilled workforce trades, including engineering and machining” and involves “highly engineered” parts, pointing to a focus on a high-technology, high-productivity sector.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation… and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises. The article explicitly states that “More than 170 Florida companies build parts for the F-35 and many of them are small and veteran-owned businesses,” directly aligning with this target.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product. The article provides figures on the defense manufacturing industry’s contribution to Florida’s economy and employment, such as supporting over 24,000 jobs in Brevard County alone.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels… to prevent violence. The article highlights that “19 allies to partner with the United States to fly the F-35 and work collaboratively on the battlefield,” which is a form of international cooperation to strengthen security institutions and maintain peace.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):

   • Economic Impact: The article provides specific monetary values that serve as indicators of economic growth, such as the “$21 billion in economic impact each year in Florida” and specific impacts for counties like Orange ($7 billion) and Brevard ($1.8 billion).
   • Job Creation: The number of direct and indirect jobs supported is a clear indicator. For example, “more than direct 1,800 jobs and more than 5,200 indirect jobs” in Orange County, and “6,400 direct jobs and more than 18,000 indirect jobs” in Brevard County.
   • Support for Small Businesses: The number of companies involved in the supply chain (“More than 170 Florida companies”) and the specific mention that “many of them are small and veteran-owned businesses” act as an indicator for Target 8.3.

2. For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):

   • International Cooperation: The number of allied nations partnering on the F-35 program (“19 allies”) serves as an indicator of international cooperation for security.
   • Maintenance of Peace and Stability: The article implies the program’s effectiveness as an indicator by citing examples where it was used to “repel attempts by Russia and Iran to penetrate their respective airspaces,” framing these as successful efforts to ensure peace and stability.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: floridapolitics.com