Across Canada, economic development officers are lacing up their running shoes to hunt for opportunities in the just-announced $6.6 billion federal Defence Industry Strategy (DIS).

Prime Minister Mark Carney's objective is to drive domestically sourced procurement to 70% of the overall Canadian military spending. This is going to mean extraordinarily new and expanded opportunities for big and small cities.

The strategy calls for 125,000 new jobs, and the doubling of Canada's defence exports. It is ambitious, far-reaching, and generally welcomed by Canadians in this time of global turmoil.

What has been ignored by media reports is the opportunity this plan creates for local governments. There are many businesses across Canada that build and supply military equipment. Expansion and new R&D should generate more local economic activity.

Too often over the past decades there has been a lack of money for Canadian military procurement. That has coupled with the federal government's traditional inability to achieve major acquisitions. Think: helicopters; submarines; fighter jets. Sigh.

Now we are entering a new era. Or at least the DIS plan and strategy have been laid out clearly. That is crucial for businesses to invest in research and development, as well as ramp up their manufacturing.

Local communities can support these businesses by having serviced industrial land available for sale at a reasonable price. Second, cities can expedite building and zoning permits to allow businesses to expand and build quickly. Third, cities can ensure they have sufficient infrastructure for the needs of these companies, such as an ample supply of high-quality electricity. Fourth, they can work with institutions such as colleges and universities to support an educated and trained workforce. This may involve working with the federal government to ensure an ample number of migrants. And fifth, cities can support export sales and new clients through hosting unique events, trade shows, and city hall greetings.

This is an exciting opportunity for cities. There are a surprising number of small companies that are engaged in some part of the military supply chain or could retrofit their manufacturing operation for new opportunities. Economic development officers have those contacts. Now is the time to exploit this huge new economic opportunity for local business.

This is the time when national policy directly impacts cities and its economic activity. Not every community in Canada will benefit, but a vast number will.

More local jobs. More exports. New Canadian supply chains. Let us make sure the promise of this federal strategy is more than fulfilled.