Julie Song Receives FEDC Volunteer of the Year Award

Economic development advocate is recognized for her accomplishments

Brevard County, Fla (December 17, 2015) – Julie Song, president of Florida Business & Manufacturing Solutions was the recipient of the 2015 Volunteer of the Year Award by the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC). The award was presented to Mrs. Song on December 3rd during the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) Board Meeting.

Mrs. Song was recognized for her valuable contributions to economic development in Brevard County. Among her many accomplishments one of her biggest successes was leading the charge in gaining a 70.2% vote for the Ad Valorem Tax Abatement (AVT) in the November 2014 election.

The AVT is a critical tool in Brevard’s economic development efforts to encourage the recruitment, retention, and expansion of manufacturing and high-tech companies. As chair of BrevardWORKS, Julie Song spearheaded the efforts to spread the message of the value of AVT. “Julie’s commitment toward educating the community about the AVT was remarkable. In addition to coordinating fundraising efforts, she sought speaking engagements with organizations with the goal of dispelling myths on how the AVT program works,” stated Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “Julie is very deserving of this award.”

Julie Song began her involvement with the EDC in 2009. Since then, Mrs. Song has been involved in all aspects of the organization including Board Member, Executive Committee Member and continues to participate in a variety of councils.

The award was presented by Marc Hoenstine, East Central Florida Director of FEDC and the Economic Development Director for Duke Energy Corporation. It is named in honor of Richard L. McLaughlin who firmly believed in significance of volunteer contributions to the achievement of economic development goals for the state.

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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.