Virginia has long been the home of an unparalleled array of military installations and commands, including such familiar places as the Pentagon, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Langley Air Force Base, Naval Station Norfolk and Fort Lee.

Department of Defense (DoD) expenditures in the Commonwealth are a vital segment of the economy, exceeding $54 billion annually. Virginia is the lead state in per capita defense spending, and a close second in total DoD investment. In federal fiscal year 2008, Virginia ranked first in the nation in civilian DoD employment and in DoD payroll expenditures.

The DoD's presence in Virginia plays an important role in helping the Commonwealth receive national praise for its business climate, including ranking as America's Top State for Business by CNBC and the Best State for Business by Forbes.com.

The Virginia National Industrial Defense Authority (VNDIA) was created during the 2005 Virginia General Assembly, which had the sense that "a need exists for the provision of technical assistance and coordination between the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions and the United States military..."

Since inception, the authority has assisted Virginia communities in meeting the challenges of - and pursuing the opportunities inherent in - the 2005 BRAC implementation process while working to strengthen and expand our partnership with the Defense Department throughout Virginia.

The authority consists of eighteen members appointed by the governor (12), speaker of the house (4) and Senate Rules Committee (2). The Adjutant General of Virginia and Secretary of Commerce & Trade for Virginia serve on the board by law.

The authorities work is conducted through three committees:

Strategic Planning: Continually seeks military operational gains for Virginia through new missions and realignments; follows and evaluates federal and state legislation impacting Virginia-based military installations; advocates for necessary funding; serves as liaisons to the Defense Department, governor’s office and Virginia’s congressional delegation.

Local Coordination, Support and Communication: Coordinates communications with and among regional and community military councils statewide through the VNDIA website, newsletter, media contacts, legislative contacts and visits to military installations; assists  in the development and implementation of regional recommendations that meet challenges and create future opportunities for installations and communities.

Grant Review and Oversight: Administers the Military Strategic Response Fund and provides oversight to projects financed through grant funding.