West Palm Beach mayor: WPB is the new hub for defense technology

February 13, 2026 - 01:02

Mayor Keith A. James is championing his city's rapid ascent as a critical center for the defense technology sector. The announcement of an upcoming defense technology summit in West Palm Beach serves as a cornerstone for this vision, signaling a strategic push to attract major industry players and high-skilled employment.

The mayor emphasizes that this gathering is more than a conference; it is a deliberate move to solidify the city's reputation and infrastructure as an ideal home for innovators in national security and aerospace. This focus capitalizes on a growing trend of defense contractors and specialized firms expanding their operations into the region.

Officials project that this targeted development will generate a significant influx of high-paying, sustainable jobs in engineering, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. The goal is to cultivate a self-reinforcing ecosystem where talent, investment, and innovation thrive, diversifying the local economy beyond traditional sectors.

By fostering direct connections between industry leaders, government agencies, and academic institutions at events like the upcoming summit, West Palm Beach aims to secure its status as a pivotal hub shaping the future of defense technology for years to come.