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Claudia Devitt, Sr Manager, Marketing and Communications
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EDC Celebrates Manufacturing Industry Award Winners

Two Brevard County manufacturers recognized at community event

Brevard County, Fla. (January 21, 2016) – The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is pleased to announce the 2016 recipients of the Innovation Company of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year awards. The winners were announced yesterday at the EDC’s Investor Update Meeting where companies participating in the innovative Made In Brevard showcase exhibited locally made products.

Created to honor local manufacturers, these awards recognize companies who are committed to the community and bringing new opportunities through job creation and capital investment.

Innovation Company of the Year: This award recognizes a business who has demonstrated innovation in one or more of the following areas in the past year: product or service offerings, manufacturing processes or productivity, sales and marketing approach and/or management of resources - resulting in increased investment.

The EDC presented this award to Larsen Motorsports, Inc located in Palm Bay, Florida.

Larsen Motorsports is a multi-team exhibition jet racing company. The company’s goal is to bring new talent to drag racing whether in the driver’s seat, design, engineering, build or maintenance of these jet powered vehicles. Larsen Motorsports’ Development Program brings talent from around the world to share in their love of drag racing.

Founders Chris and Elaine Larsen accepted the award on behalf of the company. “Our passion is to create a unique hands-on training experience that will inspire the next generation of learners into STEM related majors”, stated Chris. “With a unique business focus, a niche home as the anchor of Florida Tech’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Design (CAMID), and a team of innovators creating new and inventive product designs, we are honored to be a part of this business community and appreciate the EDC’s recognition as an innovator making a difference.”

Manufacturer of the Year: This award recognizes a Brevard County manufacturer that has made or announced a significant investment in the County through job creation and/or retention, new capital investment, and new construction.

The EDC presented this award to Paragon Plastics which is relocating its headquarters from Cocoa and doubling their size to a new facility in Titusville, Florida within the year.

Paragon Plastics, a leading custom plastic thermoforming company, was selected for its focus on major growth. The company is investing $3 million in the construction of a new building, plans to purchase $300,000 in new equipment and increase their current employment by 30%. Over 20 years ago, the company began producing vacuum-formed flanges and AC transition boxes for the marine industry out of a small garage, and today, they are known as a strong force in the thermoforming and fabrication field.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to be a part of Titusville’s revitalization. Our business focused in on the Spaceport Commerce Park, which has proven important throughout the planning and operational stages,” said David Trout, president and chief executive officer of Paragon Plastics. ”We thank the EDC for recognizing our strategic growth and sharing it with the business community through events like this one.”

“It is important for us to celebrate and recognize the very fabric of our manufacturing and innovation communities with this annual Made in Brevard Showcase,” said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, “As these companies work day in and day out, they are helping to raise our community profile and maintain the Space Coast’s position as the home of the next generation of technology savvy leaders.”

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About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying 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. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.