EDC Secures Florida Defense Grants For Brevard

By  //  December 24, 2012

$275,000 Earmarked For Facilities Upgrades

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Great news for Brevard County.

The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast has been awarded $275,000 in 2012 Florida defense grants to help upgrade infrastructure at facilities like Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. (Image courtesy of NASA)

The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast has been awarded $275,000 in 2012 Florida defense grants.

The awards are part of Florida Gov. 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 and also earned a $75,000 Defense Reinvestment Grant, one of just 11 reinvestment grants given in 2012.

The 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.

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.”

Lynda Weatherman is president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. (Image courtesy of EDC of Florida’s Space Coast)

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.