Space Coast EDC Gets Defense Grant to Upgrade Cape Canaveral Launch Processing Facilities
Brevard County, Fla., December 19, 2012 (Space Coast EDC PR) – The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $275,000 in 2012 Florida defense grants. The awards are part of Governor Rick Scott’s announcement of $2.4 million in defense grants this year to communities and organizations that support Florida military installations.
The EDC received a $200,000 Defense Infrastructure Grant, one of just seven awards of that size issued statewide. The EDC also received a $75,000 Defense Reinvestment Grant, one of just 11 reinvestment grants given in 2012.
The $200,000 in Infrastructure funding will be used toward upgrading the launch processing facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, while the Reinvestment dollars will be used in conjunction with the Space Coast’s military installations for economic development.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott said the Infrastructure Grant program is “a vital tool in maintaining Florida’s reputation as the most military friendly state in the nation. Jobs for Florida families is my top priority – and these grants will improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Floridians employed at our military installations.”
Previous infrastructure and reinvestment grants awarded to the EDC have contributed to the organization’s advocacy efforts for projects such as the $158 million Air Force Technical Applications Center and a much-needed daycare facility at Patrick Air Force Base.
The grant funds are designed to enhance both an installation’s military value and its role and impact on host communities, both critical objectives for the Space Coast as its economy transitions into a more diversified, post-shuttle focus, said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.
“The commercial space industry is highly competitive and increasingly global, so these grants will allow the Space Coast to better compete in the national and international marketplace,” Weatherman said. “Furthermore, they will allow us to continue to build upon and strengthen our partnerships in both the military and aerospace sectors.”
Statewide, the grants help protect a $60 billion economic impact and more than 686,000 direct and indirect jobs, which the defense industry annually infuses into Florida. Overseen by Enterprise Florida, the grants are awarded annually on a project priority basis. Visit www.floridadefense.org/grants.asp for a breakdown of grants per recipient.
About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast 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.
