Florida’s Space Coast:
One Small Step for Your Giant Leap

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.

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10th

in high-tech

GDP concentration

2.8

times the U.S. rate

in manufacturing job growth

80+

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. -2022 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 Space Launch Delta 45 and the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Space Force Base, and the Naval Ordnance Test Unit at Cape Canaveral Space 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.

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 Blue Origin, Embraer, L3Harris, and Lockheed Martin 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.

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Latest News

EDC announces slate of officers for fiscal year 2023/2024

EDC announces Oregon-based Rogue Valley Microdevices, Inc. to open microfabrication facility in Palm Bay

EDC awarded $584,000 by Gov. DeSantis to support Space Coast military community and installations

EDC expands talent attraction program with Launches and Lagers website and digital app

EDC honors McInnish and De Freese during its 22/23 Annual Meeting

Upcoming Events

EDC Annual Meeting 2023 – 2024

January 24, 2024

5:00 PM

LOCATION: Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts ADDRESS: 3865 North Wickham Road L3Harris Technologies Theatre Melbourne, FL 32935

More Events

Thriving Together:
In Good Company

Health First

Founded in 1995, Health First is Brevard County's not-for-profit, community healthcare system employing over 9,000 associates. The fully integrated delivery network (IDN) includes health insurance plans, hospitals, a multi-specialty medical group, and outpatient and wellness services. As a locally owned, not-for-profit organization, Health First is committed to investing in our community. In 2019, Health First provided more than $180 million in community support. To learn more about Health First and how we're giving back to our community, please visit HFgivesback.org.

Blue Origin

Blue Origin’s vision is enabling a future where millions of people are living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. Blue Origin is working on this today by developing partially and fully reusable launch vehicles, engines and space systems that are safe, low cost, and serve the needs of all civil, commercial and defense customers. Blue Origin’s footprint on the Space Coast continues to grow with an investment of more than $3 billion in facilities and infrastructure at all sites, including $1 billion invested in the rebuild of historic LC-36, which was completed in October of 2021. For more information about Blue Origin, visit www.blueorigin.com.

North American Properties

What makes a place great? North American Properties believes that it all comes down to connections – people to each other; to their souls; partners to opportunities; and individuals to experiences that move them. We believe that by fulfilling people’s desire for connectedness, we’re creating happier places and experiences that in turn become more successful environments, more vibrant communities and ultimately, a better world. Since 1954, we’ve balanced a well-capitalized approach and a keen focus on successful execution with a willingness to question conventional wisdom, reimagining and expanding the possibilities for more than $7 billion of assets across the US. Whether developing multifamily, mixed-use, office, student housing, hotel or retail environments, we’re driven to deliver more valuable, meaningful real estate that transforms, inspires, delights and succeeds by connecting us all with what matters most. Visit https://www.naproperties.com

L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies is an agile global aerospace and defense technology innovator, delivering end-to-end solutions that meet customers’ mission-critical needs. The company provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across space, air, land, sea and cyber domains. L3Harris has more than $17 billion in annual revenue and 47,000 employees, with customers in more than 100 countries. Visit L3Harris.com.

Embraer Executive Jets

Embraer is creating tomorrow’s world of custom private air travel today, utilizing industry-leading innovation, design, and technology—all the while incorporating sustainable and socially responsible practices. With nearly 1,000 employees at its Executive Jets headquarters in Melbourne, Embraer delivers the ultimate experience in business aviation through aircraft that feature disruptive performance, comfort, and technology. Embraer’s Melbourne campus, opened in 2011, is home to assembly lines for the Phenom 100EV and the Phenom 300E, the world´s best-selling light jet for the past ten years. Here, employees also work on the final assembly of the best-in-class midsize jets, Praetor 500 and Praetor 600. They also operate a state-of-the-art Engineering and Technology Center and a 58,000 square feet Global Customer Center. Visit https://executive.embraer.com/global/en.