What has the N.C. Military Foundation accomplished?

Since Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue started the nonprofit to promote defense spending in North Carolina in 2006, it has worked on a number of different projects:

Helping Contractors: In November of 2007, it held a summit for 250 construction contractors with Major Gen. Bo Temple of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Rear Adm. Chris Mossey of the Naval Facilities Atlantic to learn about future base expansions.

Introducing Australians: In December of 2007, it brought two members of the Australian embassy to a luncheon with 70 business leaders in Raleigh to learn about future business opportunities under a pending defense treaty.

Promoting Veterans: In 2008, the foundation worked with the N.C. Military Business Center to create a database for employers considering hiring former military personnel for civilian jobs and explain military job skills.

Executive Director Will Austin said the foundation's method is to educate business and military leaders about ways to make the state more military friendly.

"We're trying to bring people together," he said.