EDC Showcases What’s “Made in Brevard” During Annual Expo

FLATE recently attended The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of Florida’s Space Coast 4th Annual Made in Brevard Expo on May 17. The Expo promoted and celebrated companies and products “Made in Brevard County,” and highlighted the contributions of the county’s over 500 manufacturers to the local economy. The expo historically offers targeted events, presentations and advertisements, enhances individual marketing efforts and fosters a sense of community pride for the diverse products created in the Space Coast.

This year’s Made in Brevard Expo was very well attended, with approximately 400 visitors. There were several community and local small manufacturers looking for jobs, or to buy or invest in their products. The EDC is dedicated to attracting new businesses and investors, and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast. They also look to promote the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and creating 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. During the expo, local manufacturers receive awards for outstanding achievements.

This year, Embraer Executive Jets was awarded 2017 Manufacturer of the Year award.

Embraer is one of the world’s leading executive jet manufacturers, with over 1,100 aircrafts flying around the globe. Offering the broadest business jet portfolio, Embraer has invested significantly in this market. The company has delivered nearly 250 business jets from Brevard County and soared to nearly 700 employees locally in just six years. With plans for over 500 more employees by 2020, Embraer is an exemplary choice for this award. Embraer also works closely with many schools and colleges in Brevard County to help build their technical talent pipeline.

Novel Engineering, Inc. was awarded 2017 Innovation Company of the Year. Novel Engineering is the leading research and development of a virtual reality project and is competing in NASA’s Cube Quest Challenge, which helps to create an advanced cube satellite and send it into orbit. Through its next-generation solutions for aerospace, transportation, controls and government relations, Novel Engineering has demonstrated a continued drive for innovation and progress in Brevard, ambitions which are worthy of such recognition.

Brevard County started the Manufacturing Association of Florida's Space Coast (MASC), which is one of the networks of Manufacturers Associations around the state. FLATE works directly with these organizations on community and educational outreach about manufacturing careers as well as to helps connect the schools directly to the organization and manufacturing members.

For more information on FLATE’s involvement in professional development, please contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, Executive Director of FLATE, at barger@fl-ate.org. For more information on the annual Made in Brevard Expo, please click here.