EDC of Florida’s Space Coast awarded $750,000 in DoD funding and $82,500 in State funding to further study improvements to aging wastewater infrastructure

SPACE COAST, Fla. (May 14, 2025) – Seeking long term solutions, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) was awarded $750,000 in Dept. of Defense (DoD) funds from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC). Additional matching funds were awarded in the amount of $82,500 from Florida’s Dept. of Commerce to fortify efforts to address the aging wastewater infrastructure in Brevard County at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

“The EDC identified a need and continues to promote efforts in Washington DC and at the State level to modernize military infrastructure in our county” stated President & CEO Lynda Weatherman of the EDC of Florida’s Space Coast. “The awarded Military-supportive grants prove to be mission critical to align priorities for current and expanding mission capacity.”

The EDC has entered into an agreement with Brevard County as the sub-award recipient of the grant. In this role, the County’s Utility Services Department will lead and manage the Feasibility Study, overseeing its coordination, implementation, and timely completion.

“The study is a great collaborative way to align resources and meet the needs and demands of our military within Brevard County” stated Rob Feltner, Chairman of the Brevard County Commission and District 4 Commissioner.  “Findings of the study will guide design plans for modernizing the existing infrastructure.”

Located in Brevard County, the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) provides wastewater treatment for the US Government and Space Launch Programs at CCSFS as well as NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The funding paves the way for improving military hardening efforts. The Phase 2 Feasibility Study of Cape Canaveral SFS Regional WWTF will confirm flow projections from CCSFS and identify and confirm conveyance, confirm effluent water quality goals and disposal and reuse options, determine advanced wastewater treatment options, and develop project phasing plan. In addition, key goals aim to increase the resiliency and reduce vulnerability of the WWTFs in the service area and protect the Indian River Lagoon (IRL).

This fortification of Cape Canaveral SFS affords a historic and transformational opportunity to increase infrastructure resilience and provide long-term benefit to the Lagoon. The Phase 2 Feasibility Study is a follow up to the 2023 EDC grant funded study on Conceptual Alternatives Evaluation for Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Wastewater Treatment Options. The overarching vision for the EDC planning initiative developed from discussions among community leaders about sustaining growth and prosperity of coastal communities along the Space Coast. A central tenet of the discussion identified opportunities to deliver infrastructure improvements that would meet multiple stakeholders’ needs as the region positions for future economic gains and strengthens coastal resilience.

Brevard county boasts Space Launch Delta 45 (SLD 45) overseeing Patrick Space Force Base (PSFB) and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), combined these military installations are reported to generate a local economic impact of $2.4 billion. Florida’s Space Coast stands ready to support community-based activities, the space economy, and the entire ecosystem of military installations to ensure that tomorrow launches here.

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About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast

The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.