Oct 30, 2013
Jacksonville Business Journal
After opening an aircraft assembly facility in Jacksonville, Embraer is still growing its Florida presence.
The state is working on a deal that could add 600 jobs at Melbourne International Airport. Gov. Rick Scott announced Tuesday that Embraer jet manufacturer has selected the Space Coast airport to build its Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 planes.
“This highly sought after expansion is especially important as it solidifies Embraer’s growing manufacturing presence on the Space Coast and will create additional opportunities for suppliers in the aerospace and aviation industry,” Secretary of Commerce Gray Swoope said in a news release from the governor’s office.
The deal, in which Embraer would spend about $28 million in adding 250,000 square feet to its Space Coast operations, remains contingent on final approval of a partnership between the company, state and local officials, according to the release.
The package, which will require legislative approval, has yet to be finalized, said Sean Helton, a spokesman for Enterprise Florida. The package must be approved within 180 days, Helton added.
The company already employs about 250 in Melbourne, where the company’s Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 are assembled. An additional 200 engineers are expected to be hired starting next year when the company’s $24 million Engineering and Technology Center opens.
The Air Force in February awarded a $427 million contract to Embraer SA to supply 20 aircraft in support of the draw down of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The project, expected to create 50 high-paying jobs for Jacksonville, has twice been delayed by a competitor’s legal challenge.
Source: http://bit.ly/1aoWpmz
