Commissioner Clay Murphy Highlights Northrop Grumman’s Impact During St. Augustine Tour

• 8 December 2025
• Category: SJC News District 3
• Tags: 2025

Chair Murphy visited Northrop Grumman to spotlight jobs, growth and community impact.

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Chair Clay Murphy emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong partnership with Northrop Grumman during a visit to the company’s St. Augustine manufacturing site on Dec. 3, 2025. The aerospace company operates a long-standing facility where crews build E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, a critical aircraft used by the U.S. Navy.

“The operations here are fascinating because a lot of people don’t know what’s in that big building when they drive down the street,” Murphy said. “The fact that there are ~1,000 employees here, the fact that they’re bringing in tens of millions of dollars in sales tax and employment—it’s a real boon to our county.”

During the visit, Murphy toured the production facility, met with employees and spoke with Northrop Grumman leadership about the value of continued manufacturing in St. Johns County. According to the company, more than 600 service members have been mentored at the site since 2013, and employees have contributed tens of thousands of volunteer hours, valued at $1.6 million.

“Northrop Grumman is important to us. They matter, and we need to do what we can to protect the relationship we’ve had,” Murphy said. Northrop Grumman has operated in St. Johns County for more than 45 years. Company officials say the St. Augustine site alone provides at least 900 local jobs. Crews currently produce an average of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes each year, and the facility takes pride in being a hub for “Florida-made aircraft.”