Top Industries
Defense
DeLand offers a cost-effective, high-quality-of-life alternative for companies in the defense industry, providing proximity to Florida’s Space Coast, Cape Canaveral, and key military installations while maintaining lower operating costs than larger metropolitan areas. DeLand’s itself does not have a large concentration of defense firms, its strategic location within the Central Florida defense corridor grants businesses access to a thriving regional ecosystem of defense contractors, aerospace firms, and military installations.
With Patrick Space Force Base, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, and MacDill Air Force Base within reach, DeLand benefits from a steady pipeline of transitioning military personnel, as well as a workforce trained in aerospace, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and defense technologies. Companies based in DeLand can take advantage of regional defense industry resources while operating in a business-friendly, lower-cost environment with exceptional quality of life for employees.
DeLand provides businesses with access to a highly trained regional workforce that supports the defense industry. Nearby Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach specializes in aerospace engineering, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems, supplying highly skilled graduates for defense and aviation sectors. The University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando is a leader in optics, photonics, and simulation technology, supporting advanced defense applications. Daytona State College, with a campus in DeLand, contributes to workforce readiness with engineering technology and advanced manufacturing training. Additionally, CareerSource Central Florida helps transition military personnel from Patrick Space Force Base and other installations into defense and aerospace careers.
DeLand’s business-friendly climate makes it an attractive location for companies supporting the defense sector, with access to regional industrial and military infrastructure. While DeLand does not have a dense cluster of defense contractors, it provides direct access to the Space Coast and Orlando defense corridor, which are home to major players in robotics, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, and advanced materials science. Businesses in DeLand can leverage these regional assets for partnerships, contracts, and supply chain opportunities while benefiting from lower costs.
DeLand is home to Technetics Group, a company specializing in high-performance components used in aerospace and defense applications. The city also has a history of military aviation training, having hosted Naval Air Station DeLand during World War II, underscoring its long-standing connection to defense-related activities.
Florida is recognized as one of the most business-friendly states for defense contractors, offering a range of tax incentives, research funding, and workforce development grants. Local economic development organizations work closely with defense firms to facilitate contract bidding, assist with infrastructure development, and strengthen supply chain integration.
Duraline was established in 1946 as a supplier of safety engineered electrical distribution and temporary lighting systems to the U.S. Navy and commercial shipbuilding industry. Since then, we’ve grown to supply industries as diverse as mining, petrochemicals and food processing to medical, entertainment, transportation, utility and telecommunications. All molding, soldering, crimping and assembly operations are done on site at our DeLand, Florida facility.
Why Choose DeLand for Defense?
From its strategic location to its highly skilled workforce and strong regional military connections, DeLand offers an ideal setting for businesses in the defense sector. While companies may not find a dense concentration of defense firms within DeLand itself, they gain access to a highly specialized regional workforce, proximity to major defense hubs, and lower business costs than larger metropolitan areas.
By choosing DeLand, defense companies benefit from affordable operations, easy access to regional defense assets, and a high quality of life for employees and their families—all while being positioned near Florida’s top aerospace and military installations.