Florida’s Space Coast:
Powered By Innovation

The birthplace of American space exploration and the hub of Florida’s space industry, Brevard County boasts generations of high-tech talent along with the largest share of STEM-related jobs in Florida. Situated in the middle of major space, air, sea, road and rail corridors, Florida’s Space Coast offers an attractive tax and wage climate enticing a variety of industries. Home to several colleges and universities, including the renowned Florida Institute of Technology, the Space Coast encompasses 72 miles of pristine beach and an average temperature of 73 degrees. Florida’s Space Coast is an alluring location to live, work and play.

10th

in high-tech

GDP concentration

2.8

times the U.S. rate

in manufacturing job growth

48+

rocket launches

expected by 2023

Front of fliping box that reads - Teach-ready Workforce

Back of Flippping box that reads - Teach-ready Workforce - The local workforce’s strengths extend beyond the aerospace sector on Florida’s Space Coast, with one of the nation’s largest concentrations of employment in the communications sector and the most concentrated manufacturing workforce in the state of Florida. Recruiting employees is easily done with our local tax structure, low cost of living, affordable housing, and superior quality of life.

Front of fliping box that reads - Transportation Leader

Back of fliping box that reads - Transportation Leader - Industry along Florida’s Space Coast leverages an uncongested transportation network that includes road, rail, air, sea and even space. Our infrastructure is built for business and provides easy and quick access to markets and resources for your people, products, services and ideas.

Front of fliping box that reads - Favorable Tax Climate

Back of flipping box that reads - Florida ranks #4 in the State Tax Climate Index, surpassed only by Alaska, Wyoming and South Dakota. The State Business Tax Climate Index compares corporate income, individual income, sales, unemployment insurance and property taxes. -2018 State Business Tax Climate Index, The Tax Foundation.

Tech-ready Workforce - Florida’s Space Coast is home to more engineers per 1,000 workers than any Florida metropolitan area and any of the top 25 metros in the country. We boast the largest share of STEM-related jobs in the state. Our high-tech workforce fuels innovation, attracting 13 patents for every 10,000 workers – more than double the national average.

Transportation Leader - Our central location on the Atlantic seaboard of Florida situates us in the middle of major space, air, sea, highway, and rail corridors. Some 200 small businesses operate at Port Canaveral. More than 20,000 jobs and $1.1 billion in direct and indirect wages and salaries are connected to our bustling seaport.

Favorable Tax Climate - Florida was ranked 4th best state in the nation in the 2020 State Business Tax Climate Index by the Tax Foundation, surpassed by Alaska, Wyoming, and South Dakota, and is the #1 business location of large workforce states.

Front of fliping box that reads - Educational Excellance

Back of Flippping box that reads - No Floridian lives more than 50 miles from a postsecondary educational institution, many of which are nationally ranked colleges and universities. This provides your businesses with a constant flow of skilled employees. What’s more, the Space Coast is part of the Florida High Tech Corridor, boasting a region with a talent pool of scientists, engineers, and other innovative entrepreneurs.

Front of fliping box that reads - Business-Friendly Government

Back of fliping box that reads - A right-to-work state, Florida’s high-tech wage is approximately 20% lower than the national average, with the Space Coast’s wage structure generally lower than other population centers in Florida. Florida’s Space Coast offers the right operating climate by combining low operating costs, aggressive and targeted incentives, and a coveted workforce.

Front of fliping box that reads - Unmatched Quality of Life

Back of flipping box that reads - Unmatched Quality of Life, Florida’s Space Coast is where quality of life soars among a strong diversified economy. Our forward-thinking, vibrant population enjoys a full menu of lifestyle options, including diverse housing options, outdoor recreation, a growing arts scene, endless dining options, and proximity to major tourism centers of Central Florida – not to mention our dozens of rocket launches per year.

Front of fliping box that reads - Powerhouses & Pioneers

Back of flipping box that reads - Powerhouses & Pioneers, From start-ups and mid-sized enterprises to high-tech goliaths, the Space Coast corporate neighborhood hosts an impressive group of innovative organizations in a variety of sectors. The Space Coast is also home to the 45th Space Wing and the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, and the Naval Ordnance Test Unit at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Educational Excellence - Brevard’s public school system is a model of innovation and excellence, with more than a decade of district-wide overall A-ratings. The Space Coast is also home to renowned colleges and universities that train students for successful careers in engineering, business, aerospace, aviation, communications, and more, including the Florida Institute of Technology, Eastern Florida State College, the University of Central Florida, Keiser University, and Webster University.

Business-Friendly Government - The EDC acts as a liaison between legislators, key business sector associations, and companies to develop incentives and policies to strengthen Brevard County’s business environment. This, coupled with our work uniting local and state government entities to create Performance-Based Incentive Packages, offers a competitive environment in which our businesses thrive.

Unmatched Quality of Life Drawing more than 2.5 million tourists annually and boasting 72 miles of pristine beaches and an average temperature of 73 degrees, Florida’s Space Coast is an ideal place to work and play. Offering symphonies, one of the nation’s top-rated zoos, museums, art galleries and a thriving retail and restaurant scene, there is plenty to do away from the office.

Powerhouses and Pioneers - Florida’s Space Coast is home to industry leaders like Boeing, Collins Aerospace, Embraer Executive Jets, Lockheed Martin Space, Northrop Grumman, United Launch Alliance – and the world headquarters of L3Harris.

Your Giant Leap

One small step in discovering Florida’s Space Coast is the giant leap you’ve been looking for- but don’t just take our word for it. Discover some of the innovative companies such as Embraer, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman who discovered their giant leap on Florida’s Space Coast.

New $40M Headquarters

In 2005, the EDC announced the retention of 1,000 jobs in Cape Canaveral due to the retainment of the Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU), the local Navy organization which is responsible for local Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program operations. In 2017, Lockheed Martin relocated its FBM Headquarters to Titusville, Florida. The $40 million dollar capital investment resulted in 350 new jobs.
1,150 New Jobs

Since 2008, Embraer has announced 4 unique projects with more than 1,100 jobs and capital investments in excess of $155 million.
1,000 new jobs & $61 million dollar capital investment

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Giant Leap on Florida’s Space Coast | In 2012 the EDC announced the details of Project Magellean in which Northrop Grumman Corporation would create 1,000 new jobs and a $61 million dollar capital investment.

Discover Our Story

Latest News

EDC statement on U.S. Space Command decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Brian Baluta Director, Communications and Partner …

EDC project update: Aerion Supersonic starts development on new Headquarters in Melbourne

EDC announces Florida’s Space Coast chosen as finalist for U.S. Space Command Headquarters

Five Space Coast companies honored with 2020 GrowFL Companies to Watch honor

EDC announces slate of officers for fiscal year 2020/2021

Upcoming Events

MASC Webinar – Manufacturing Employment Law – Minimum Wage, COVID + More

Jan 21, 2020

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Online event

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Thriving Together:
EDC Investors

Space Coast Association of REALTORS

The Space Coast Association of REALTORS® is a professional trade association providing services to the local REALTOR® community since 1959, with a current membership base of more than 4,500 REALTORS® and Business Partner Members servicing Brevard County. The REALTORS® comprising its membership adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in working with one another and the general public. The Space Coast Association of REALTORS® takes an active part in community programs and pursues those projects that are supported by members to further real estate interests. The protection of private property rights is always a top priority.

Leonardo DRS

Warfighters’ lives don’t depend on the best defense company. They depend on the company that provides them with the best solutions. Supports the most impactful causes. Grows under the most genuine leadership. And uses these values to deliver unyielding support to a growing commercial audience. That is what commitment built in means. Commitment to the people who need us. Commitment to you.

Lockheed Martin Space

Lockheed Martin is a pioneer, partner, innovator and builder. Our amazing men and women are on a mission to make a difference in the world and every day we use our unique skills and experiences to create, design and build solutions to some of the world's hardest engineering problems. Our culture encourages employees to dream big, perform with excellence and create incredible products. For over 60 years, the men and women of Lockheed Martin have supported missions that push the boundaries of science, achieving the highest standards of excellence. On the Space Coast, Lockheed Martin Space is developing the next generation of human space exploration and executing mission critical launches that defend America and protect the world.We provide the resources, inspiration and focus and if you have the passion and courage to dream big, we want to build a better tomorrow with you.

MLB Airport

Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) is an award-winning airport, named Florida’s 2019 Commercial Service Airport of the Year by FDOT and #1 Most Scenic Airport Approach in the U.S.A. by PrivateFly.com. MLB serves nearly 500,000 passengers annually with current nonstop service to Charlotte (CLT) on American Airlines and Atlanta (ATL) on Delta Air Lines. With recent announcement of TUI UK’s arrival in 2022, plans are underway to invest millions of dollars into MLB’s terminal to provide an ultimate travel experience for all airport customers. MLB has positioned itself on the global stage as an epicenter for aviation, aerospace and defense, home to Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Embraer, Collins Aerospace, Thales, and now Aerion Supersonic.

Waste Management

Waste Management is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management in North America but when it comes to delivering our services, we’re a local business. In Brevard County we have 310 dedicated employees servicing our residential, commercial and roll-off customers with our compressed natural gas fleet, and we own and operate a state-of-the-art Single Stream Recycling Facility located in Cocoa. At Waste Management we are constantly seeking to find the best ways to extract the most value from waste. It's what drives us every day, as individuals and as a company.