Governor Rick Scott announced that Embraer, a Brazil-based aircraft manufacturer focused on commercial, defense, and executive aviation, is expanding its operations at Melbourne International Airport. The company will be adding a new research and development facility - The Embraer Engineering and Technology Center USA - and 200 new engineering jobs with average salaries of $70,000, in the near term. At least 40 new jobs are anticipated in 2012.
The announcement was made at the Melbourne Hilton Rialto. Governor Rick Scott was joined by Senator Mike Haridopolos, Melbourne City Mayor Harry Goode, and executives from Embraer, Enterprise Florida, Space Florida and the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast.
"Embraer's continued investment in Florida is evidence we are doing the right things to attract job-growing businesses," said Governor Scott. "My 2012 Job Creation and Economic Development Agenda, which just passed the Legislature, will make Florida even more attractive to companies looking to move or expand in a business-friendly state like ours."
The new Embraer facility will house R&D for the company's Executive Jets business.
"The development of the Embraer Engineering and Technology Center USA, Inc. has been a team effort and would not have happened without the dedicated help of Enterprise Florida, Space Florida and the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast," said Embraer North America President Gary Spulak. "Embraer's partnership with these organizations has made a great deal of difference for the Space Coast, its workforce and Embraer. The partnership has leveraged a host of resources to take advantage of the engineering talent we need here."
Embraer's Engineering and Technology Center USA research and development operation will be housed in a 67,000 sq. ft. facility to be constructed at the Melbourne International Airport on the site of the current Embraer Executive Jets Division Headquarters and final assembly building. While the company awaits final buildout of the new facility, Melbourne International Airport has agreed to provide Embraer with temporary facilities, also located on airport property.
"It has been a pleasure working with Embraer, Enterprise Florida and the EDC of Florida's Space Coast on this transaction," said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. "We look forward to continuing to work closely with Embraer as they grow their aerospace footprint here in Florida."
"The Space Coast holds one of the highest per capita concentrations of engineers and is among the most concentrated high-tech economies in the U.S., making it an ideal location for Embraer's new research and development facility," said Lynda Weatherman, president & CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast. "Embraer's decision to locate its R&D center at Melbourne International Airport further illustrates its steadfast commitment to the Space Coast and thorough understanding of our workforce capacity."
Embraer officially began its Melbourne operations in February 2011 at its 80,000 sq. ft. final assembly facility at Melbourne International Airport. Embraer manufactures the Phenom 100 executive jet at this location. It dedicated its 58,000 sq. ft. global Embraer Executive Jets Customer Center in December, rounding out the company's $50 million investment in the Space Coast to date. The company plans to break ground on the new facility in summer 2012.
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