DEFENSE
Industry Initiatives
NC State University’s Industry Extension Services (IES) leads statewide efforts to strengthen North Carolina’s defense industrial base, expand manufacturing capabilities and build resilient supply chains that support national security. The IES Defense Industry Initiatives division serves as a strategic connector—linking industry, government, academia and community partners to accelerate innovation, modernization and workforce readiness across the defense ecosystem.
This defense industry initiative work supports both state and federal priorities, ensuring North Carolina companies are prepared to meet evolving Department of War (DoW) needs while strengthening the state’s defense manufacturing capabilities and supply chain resilience. Guided by a clear mission and informed by industry priorities, our initiatives bring together an experienced team of experts, an engaged advisory council, and strategic partners to identify emerging opportunities, address critical industry challenges and connect North Carolina manufacturers with the resources, expertise and relationships they need to compete and grow in the defense sector.
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The Defense Industry Initiatives team focuses on:
The NC State University Industry Extension Services Defense Industry Initiatives division exists to support and inform statewide efforts specific to strengthening state and federal collaborations that support military and defense infrastructure, military and defense industry, and public, private and social sector partnerships in all communities across the state.
Dr. Fiona Baxter, Associate Executive Director, NC State Industry Extension Services
Ariana Billingsley, Deputy State Director, North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center
Kenny Capps, Director of Operations, 3DP, Proto Labs
Krista Covey, President, First Flight Venture Center
Dr. Salil Desai, Director of the Center of Excellence in Product Design and Advanced Manufacturing (CEPDAM), North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Scott Dorney, Executive Director, North Carolina Military Business Center
Tammy Everett, Executive Director, Defense Alliance of North Carolina
James Freeman, President, Emerging Technology Institute
John Hardin, Ph.D., Executive Director, North Carolina Department of Commerce
Michael Hubbard, Director of International Trade, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)
Dennis McGurk, Department of Defense (DoD) Senior Account Executive, RTI International
Steve McManus, Innovation Advisor, RTI International
Michael Mullins, Director, Defense Industry Initiatives, NC State Industry Extension Services
Tenette Prevatte, Associate Vice President / Chief Information Officer, Fayetteville Technical Community College
Melissa Sharp, Associate Director, North Carolina State University, Wilson College of Textiles
Dominick Stephenson, Director, Evaluation Services, NC State Industry Extension Services
Annette Stevenson, Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity and Procurement, Stevenson Consulting Group
Mark Trexler, General Manager / Owner, Survival Innovations LLC Service
Tom White, Director, Economic Development Partnership at NC State University
Ed Zimmerman, LEAP Program Improvement Leader, GE Aviation
Dr. Fiona Baxter
Associate Executive Director
NC State University
Industry Extension Services (IES)
Defense Industry Initiatives
Michael Mullins
Director
NC State University
Industry Extension Services (IES)
Defense Industry Initiatives
Pamala Judd
Program Associate
NC State University
Industry Extension Services
Defense Industry Initiatives
The North Carolina Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (NCMMI) brings together a statewide, regional, and national ecosystem of industry, workforce, technology, government, economic development and academic partners to strengthen North Carolina’s maritime industrial base and position the state for long-term growth and competitiveness. Through collaboration across this ecosystem, NCMMI focuses on fortifying the maritime supply chain, strengthening the talent pipeline, accelerating advanced technology adoption, advancing cybersecurity readiness and informing policy and strategic economic expansion to help North Carolina companies compete for emerging maritime opportunities.
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The North Carolina Maritime Manufacturing initiative (NCMMI) integrated model advances three strategic pillars: Industrial Capacity, Agile Workforce Readiness and Advanced Technology Integration.
By transforming regional centers of excellence into distributed national assets, the NCMMI moves beyond traditional economic development. Efforts focus on fortifying contested logistics networks, ensuring cybersecurity compliance, accelerating organic and private sustainment and maintaining the U.S. Navy’s competitive overmatch in a complex global security environment.
GOAL 1: Fortify the North Carolina Maritime Industrial Base Supply Chain
GOAL 2: Strengthen the Maritime Talent Pipeline and Workforce Development
GOAL 3: Accelerate Maritime 4.0 and Advanced Technology Integration
GOAL 4: Advance Cybersecurity Compliance to Maximize Contract Opportunities
GOAL 5: Inform Policy and Strategic Economic Expansion
Contact: [email protected]
On August 13, 2021, the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC), following a competitive selection process, announced that the state of North Carolina was selected to receive the designation as one of five “Defense Manufacturing Communities” in the nation during FY2020.
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On September 22, 2021, the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation awarded North Carolina State University Industry Extension Services (IES) one of the five grants under the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP). The purpose of the North Carolina DMCSP is to make long-term investments in critical skills, facilities, workforce development, research and development, and small business support to strengthen the national security innovation base. The grant application process was based upon the competitive ranking of proposals by a Defense Manufacturing Community Review Panel.
The NC DMCSP grant was being used to undertake a $7,466,588 project to strengthen defense advanced textiles manufacturing capabilities through an industrial production ecosystem that melds cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, microelectronics, biotechnology, and additive manufacturing. The NC DMCSP Consortium involves over 20 entities across the state to build on existing textile manufacturing collaborations in order to establish a best-in-class innovation ecosystem for the research, development and production of smart textiles and wearable devices in support of warfighter health and performance.
North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program Partners:
Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA)
Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM)
Booz Allen
Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST)
East Carolina University
Emerging Technology Institute (ETI)
First Flight Venture Center (FFVC) and Hangar6
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Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC)
Manufacturing & Textile Innovation Network (MTIN)
Manufacturing x Digital (MxD)
NASA
North Carolina A&T University
North Carolina Center for Organizing Military Performance (NC-COMP)
North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office (DEFTECH)
North Carolina Department of Commerce
North Carolina Innovation
North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP)
North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC)
North Carolina Textile Innovation & Sustainability Engine (NSF)
North Carolina State University Industry Extension Services (IES) Defense Initiatives
North Carolina State University Nonwovens Institute
North Carolina State University Textile Protection and Comfort Center
North Carolina State University Wilson College of Textiles
Polymers Center
RTI International
Small Business Technology and Technology Center (SBTDC)
Southern Textiles Association (STA)
Textile Technology Center at Gaston College
The Geneva Foundation
In a proactive response to changes in federal defense budgets, the North Carolina Defense Industry Diversification Initiative (NCDIDI) was created. The program has been managed through a partnership between NC State Industry Extension Services and the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
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The intended goal was to help companies maximize their growth potential and cybersecurity resiliency while enhancing their strategic development planning and sustainability efforts to see impact beyond the NCDIDI funding period.
This program was funded through a grant awarded by the United States Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation Office.
NCDIDI – Phase I
Phase I of the grant, awarded in March of 2017, was used to develop a supply chain study that prepared service providers and manufacturers for economic diversification. This phase also assisted North Carolina defense industry dependent manufacturers and service providers to transition towards diversifying and becoming more competitive.
NCDIDI – Phase II
In Phase II, the objectives have been to maximize the initial impact of NCDIDI, provide support for advanced manufacturing capabilities to North Carolina companies in the aerospace and defense supply chains, conduct needs assessments and deliver business services to eligible companies.
Last update January 2025
Explore resources designed to help North Carolina manufacturers and defense industry stakeholders better understand the state’s defense ecosystem, identify opportunities and make informed strategic decisions. From the Defense Contractors Resource Directory and regional industry profiles to cluster and supply chain analyses, these resources provide valuable insights into North Carolina’s defense manufacturing landscape and the connections that strengthen it.
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The six regional profiles discuss a variety of methodological, data and definitional issues and provide high-level regional comparisons of defense industry activity, highlighting significant differences among regions.
The North Carolina Defense Industry Diversification Initiative (NCDIDI), the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) and NC State Industry Extension Services created this defense contractor resource directory for North Carolina companies who are interested in or doing business with the Department of Defense (DoD).
This report is intended to serve as a guide to economic developers, lawmakers, the DoD and others interested in the defense and manufacturing industry to underscore the various opportunities and risks to the companies and communities in North Carolina that help power the nation’s broader defense supply chain.
As part of the North Carolina Defense Industry Diversification Initiative, an analysis was conducted on the significance of defense industries in the state’s business clusters and sub-clusters. The defense cluster analysis was designed to provide actionable information for diversification and business support services in Phase II of the DoD OEA grant. When used in conjunction with the other reports, the cluster analysis provides valuable information for targeting key defense sectors for support.
This report is intended to identify a strategy that capitalizes on the competitive advantages of North Carolina’s defense industry. The initiative developed response protocols for those defense-reliant industries at risk or those with the potential to expand beyond their defense contracts.
Discover how the NC State University Industry Extension Services Defense Industry Initiatives team is helping North Carolina manufacturers strengthen capabilities, enter new markets and succeed in the defense industrial base. These stories highlight real-world partnerships, measurable results and lasting business impact.
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For many university researchers, groundbreaking discoveries stay in the lab. For the team behind Rock Spring Bio, an idea born in academic research is steadily evolving into a commercial venture with real-world applications—thanks in part to support and connections made through the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP) and the Propeller accelerator at the First Flight Venture Center.
What began as a scientific curiosity about enzyme immobilization has grown into a startup focused on sustainable, reusable biotechnology solutions for research and industry.
What began as a promising consumer product idea has evolved into a defense-focused innovation journey for Raleigh-based startup DotBliss—thanks in large part to critical introductions, mentorship, and strategic connections made through North Carolina’s Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP).
Founded around a patented textile electronics technology invented by designer and innovator Ty Van de Zande, DotBliss originally envisioned a path to commercialization in the consumer market.
What if clothing could be made without cutting, sewing, and wasting yards of fabric? For founder Jeanine Fry, that question sparked an innovation journey that is now reshaping how garments may one day be manufactured.
Through support from the North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP) and guidance from entrepreneur mentor Emil Runge, starting during his time at the First Flight Venture Center’s Propeller pre-accelerator program.
When Nuream, headquartered in Wilmington, NC, launched in 2023, the company had a bold vision: to fundamentally change how sleep is measured, understood, and improved. What it didn’t yet have was a fully developed product, a validated market pathway, or the deep technical partnerships required to bring such an ambitious idea to life.
Through an early connection with NC State University Industry Extension Services(IES)—and specifically the Defense Initiatives team led by Michael Mullins—Nuream found the catalyst it needed.
That introduction would set off a chain reaction of opportunity.
Core Technology Molding Corporation (CTM) was founded in 2006 in Greensboro, North Carolina. CTM is a world class injection molding facility serving industries that include: aerospace, defense, medical devices, automotive, gaming, biological pharmaceutical and consumer goods, with customers located in over 150 countries. CTM provides products and solutions that are manufactured in an ISO 9001:2015 facility and has a certified Class 10,000 (ISO 7) and Class 1,000 (ISO 6) medical clean room.
Emerging Technology Institute (ETI) was founded in 2016 in Red Springs, North Carolina. ETI develops, tests and integrates emerging technologies to include Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), robotics, and Artificial Intelligence with the Soldier through an adaptable multi-domain training environment in order to counter emerging threats. The “heart” of ETI is the training facility which is located 32 miles southwest of Ft Bragg. ETI has a one of a kind indoor and outdoor facility consisting of 156,000 square feet of indoor space and over 43 acres of wooded training areas with two surveyed drop zones (DZ). ETI’s airspace is Class G with unrestricted flying and night flying waivers.
K2 is dedicated to supporting America and her allies through solutions that help defeat emerging and ever-changing threats to safety and security. Whether it’s a canine and handler team searching for explosives or a Subject Matter Expert embedded with deployed units, K2 capably satisfies even the most discreet and sensitive requirements with innovative solutions tailored to each client. K2 Solutions Inc. was founded in 2003 and has grown its services and has taken strides to adapt to the ever changing needs of the U.S. military, law enforcement and commercial security. K2 holds many certifications relevant to its defense/security mission and is an Employee-Owned company based in Southern Pines, NC. The company has received accolades from the U.S. Military’s Special Operations Units and was recognized as the 2010 North Carolina American Legion Veteran’s Employer of the Year and the 2011 North Carolina Disabled American Veterans Employer of the Year.
Specializing in highly engineered, technical sewn products, Mills Manufacturing, in Asheville, has been a global leader in manufacturing military parachute systems and components for over 75 years. Serving all five branches of the United States Department of Defense and international allies, Mills is a trusted supplier of military parachute systems that include airborne troop parachutes, cargo parachutes, extraction parachutes, deceleration parachutes, emergency parachutes and other related ancillary items. All of the materials that go into Mill’s products are produced in the United States. Mills Manufacturing is one of only two parachute suppliers to the DOD. As an established company, Mills Manufacturing has many strengths, especially in the manufacturing area. The products/parachutes are expected to deliver precious cargo (people and valuable equipment) safely to the ground 100% of the time. Emphasis is thereby placed on ensuring that both quality and customer satisfaction are at high levels at all times. The company uses Lean manufacturing and other internal methods to remain competitive in a market that is fiercely cost competitive. Mills Manufacturing completed a Technology Driven Market Intelligence (TDMI) project led by RTI International. A transition was also made from the old ISO 9001 standard to the current ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard which allowed the company to satisfy demands for new military contracts and improve marketability for new products. Mills underwent a cybersecurity penetration testing project from a third party vendor and the company underwent a cyber-compliance assessment and met all NIST and DFARS requirements.
Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions (RYMS) was founded in 2008 as an expansion to Roush Yates Engines, the primary supplier of racing engines for Ford Motorsports in NASCAR. RYMS started off as a division of the company that was solely focused on high performance engine components, from R&D to production. Over the years, RYMS has leveraged the experience and culture of winning to evolve into a world-class provider of machined parts in the aerospace, defense, automotive, and medical industries. The company, located in Mooresville, North Carolina, delivers expertise in multi-axis and waterjet processing of metal and plastic parts with complex geometries. The company is a Tier 3 supplier to the aerospace and defense industries. Their target customers are Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and in some cases, the OEM manufacturer of the product for the industry.
Survival Innovations is a privately held company which was founded in 2004 and recently moved to its current location in Mills River, NC. Over the years, the company has grown its aviation life support equipment product line and adapted to the ever changing needs of the U.S. military. Survival Innovations personnel have received awards for innovative design, and the company owns or has direct access to over a dozen patents. Survival Innovations is registered to ISO 9001:2015 and holds Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) designation. Survival Innovations is primarily a designer and manufacturer of aviation life support equipment whose capabilities include: precision commercial sewing, programmable sewing, manual and automated material cutting and component assembly. Flexible processes can accommodate short or long manufacturing runs. The company has experience working with a wide range of materials, from cotton, nylon and sheepskin to kevlar, nomex and naugahyde. Survival is currently undergoing an AS9100 project being delivered by IES to strengthen credentials to work in the DoD aerospace sector and increase opportunities with prime contractors.