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CONTACT:
Brian Baluta
Director, Communications and Partner Relations
(321) 638-2000
BBaluta@SpaceCoastEDC.org

 

EDC awarded Defense Reinvestment Grant
from DEO and Enterprise Florida  

Funds used to support and promote STARBASE Academy at 45th Space Wing

Space Coast, FL (September 21, 2021) – Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida have awarded the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) a Defense Reinvestment Grant (DRG) in the amount of $85,000.

The EDC will utilize the funding to continue to enhance community relationships and partnerships with the U.S. Space Force, Space Launch Delta 45, Patrick Space Force Base, and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Funding will also be used to promote STARBASE Academy, hosted by Space Launch Delta 45 for students from Brevard Public Schools. STARBASE is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Enrichment Academy founded by the Department of Defense, which seeks to expose students to the technological environments and positive role models found on military installations.

The Defense Reinvestment Grant Program provides support to community-based activities that protect existing military installations. These grants are awarded to applicants that represent a local government with a military installation that could be adversely affected by federal actions.

“We prioritize military relations in Brevard County not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it delivers a total annual economic impact to the community of nearly $1.3 billion,” said EDC President and CEO Lynda L. Weatherman. “I want to thank Governor DeSantis, DEO and EFI for this opportunity to support our military, Brevard Public Schools, and a program like STARBASE, which strengthens the ties between the Space Coast and our servicemen and women.”

In a release from Florida State Governor Ron DeSantis regarding the defense grant projects, the Governor stated, “In Florida, we pride ourselves on being a very military- and veteran-friendly state, and we are pleased to offer these additional resources to assist our bases and military communities. From Northwest Florida to Northeast Florida, from Tampa to the Keys, a lot of active-duty military members are working here in Florida. Having that strong active-duty presence is not only something that we are proud of from a patriotic perspective, but it is good for our communities. Strong bases have a positive impact in their surrounding areas, so in Florida, we work in concert with the military to make sure we have the appropriate infrastructure in place to capitalize on their footprint for the benefit of our communities.”

For more information on Military Community programs, please visit www.FloridaJobs.org/Military-Community-Programs

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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.