EDC Annual Meeting Highlights Investment, Innovation and Unified Vision for Space Coast

Janet Petro and Matt Passarella honored for leadership and service at cornerstone regional event

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA — The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast convened business, civic, and community leaders Thursday evening for its signature Annual Meeting at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, spotlighting the collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment shaping the region’s economic future.

Considered a cornerstone event for Florida’s Space Coast, the Annual Meeting highlighted key priorities, including capital investment, talent attraction, workforce development, and the shared regional story driving long-term growth.

Framed by the unifying message “Tomorrow Launches Here,” the program underscored how alignment across industry, government, and community partners continues to generate high-wage jobs and sustained economic momentum.

Throughout the evening, speakers emphasized that today’s economic development success depends on a collective approach—one that brings together public and private partners to strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem and amplify a single, unified voice.

A highlight of the program was the presentation of two awards recognizing individuals whose leadership has had a lasting impact on Florida’s Space Coast.

The Gary R. Cunningham Distinguished Service Award for Economic Development was presented to Janet Petro, director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, in recognition of her contributions to economic growth and aerospace leadership across the region.

“I’ve been honored to see the unprecedented expansion of Kennedy Space Center over the last 19 years of my tenure and can personally attest that this progress is evidence of collaboration and ingenuity that far exceeds the capabilities of any single individual or institution,” Petro said.

“I’d like to thank the 150 partners in academia and industry who have leveraged our shared goals and enabled more than 450 collaborations to become a force multiplier that drives economic growth while expanding exploration, inspiration, and discovery on behalf of all humanity.”

The EDC Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Matt Passarella, business development manager at Wharton-Smith, recognizing an investor whose leadership and service have strengthened the organization’s mission and expanded community engagement.

A Brevard County resident since 1987, Passarella was instrumental in chairing the EDC’s newly formed Speakers Bureau Council, helping amplify a unified regional voice among business and civic leaders.

His efforts reinforced the importance of place branding, talent attraction, and storytelling as key drivers of economic competitiveness.

In addition to the awards, the Annual Meeting highlighted major capital investments, strengthened regional partnerships, and the continued growth of the Space Coast’s innovation ecosystem.

Leaders also showcased the community branding initiative designed to elevate Florida’s Space Coast’s profile as a destination for businesses, talent, and investment.

As emphasized throughout the evening, economic development today requires alignment, innovation, and shared ownership of the region’s story.

The message resonated clearly: Tomorrow Launches Here — and Florida’s Space Coast is building it together.

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