The Department of Defense’s Defense Spending by State report for fiscal year 2014 shows Mississippi ranks No. 7 in the nation for spending as a percentage of state GDP at 5.1 percent. In the nation it’s 2.4 percent of GDP. In Mississippi, $1,833 is spent per resident as opposed to the nation’s $1,312. Huntington Ingalls is the top contractor in the state, with contracts valued at $1.9 billion in FY 2014. Jackson County, home of Ingalls Shipbuilding, ranks No. 1 in the state when it comes to the spending locations with a total of $2.6 billion. (Source: Tcp, 09/28/15) Press release