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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Trudy McCarthy, Senior Director of Operations 
(321) 638-2000
TMcCarthy@SpaceCoastEDC.org

International Public Safety Organization Green Lights

Headquarters Move to Brevard

Safety organization to spur $600,000impact within economy

Brevard County, Fla. (May 14, 2014) - International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA), an international public safety industry association that focuses on improving efficiency, installation, construction, and maintenance of public safety equipment and systems, will relocate its headquarters from Newark, New York to Rockledge. The move is expected to create 12 professional jobs with average starting salaries of $50,000 and a capital investment of $200,000.

The organization, which has members across the United States and Canada, will inject approximately $600,000 annually directly into the economy. In addition the company will bring in members for a variety of purposes which will increase demand for hotel and restaurant services. IMSA considered locations across the eastern and southeastern U.S. before selecting Brevard County for its workforce advantages and favorable tax climate. They will lease existing office space in the Rockledge Professional Business Center Complex.

IMSA President, Jeff Knight, and the organization's Executive Director, Michael Volling, both noted the right mix of business advantages in the Space Coast which will allow IMSA to continue to provide exceptional support to its members.

"Relocation of the IMSA International office has been part of our strategic plan for nearly ten years," said Knight. "We investigated multiple geographic options. Our Board of Directors and I are very enthusiastic about our move to Florida and how it supports our vision to grow IMSA and our mission."

"IMSA's move to Florida will provide us with the platform to improve and expand our offerings and services to our membership," added Volling. "This is an exciting building block for our future. Throughout the process, the EDC was extremely helpful as our Relocation Work Group sifted through the large number of potential relocation sites. Their knowledge of the local and national business environments played a critical role in IMSA's decision to relocate to Brevard County."

Formed in 1896, with an official name change in 1937 to International Municipal Signal Association, it is the oldest known association of its kind in the world. The organization counts pioneer Thomas Edison as an early member. IMSA works to increase the knowledge of its members on signal systems, traffic controls, fire alarms, radio communications, roadway lighting, work zone traffic control, emergency medical services and other related systems and brings to Brevard a great deal of history with it.

The EDC worked closely with IMSA to demonstrate the competitive advantages of locating on the Space Coast including skilled labor pool availability and site location considerations.

"As IMSA becomes more ingrained in the community, I am confident they will encounter the same brand of ingenuity that they have brought to the traffic safety field as they interact with the industry leading companies and organizations that already call Brevard County home," said EDC president and chief executive officer Lynda Weatherman. "IMSA's story is one of legacy. The Space Coast is the right business backdrop to write the next chapter."

Added Rockledge city manager Jim McKnight: "The City of Rockledge welcomes IMSA as a new business partner in our community. We are pleased they chose our city as their new home and we will assist them with their transition to the Sunshine State and the Space Coast of Florida."

About International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA)
IMSA is an international public safety industry association with the primary objectives being to improve the efficiency, installation, construction, and maintenance of Public Safety equipment and systems by increasing the knowledge of its members on traffic controls, fire alarms, radio communications, roadway lighting, work zone traffic control, emergency medical services and other related systems. Since its origin in 1896, IMSA has grown in size, stature and prestige. Today, the Association has members in all areas of the United States, in many areas of Canada, and in many of the free countries of the world. Through its many years of continuous dedication of effort in improving and advancing all aspects of public-safety, IMSA has gained recognition and influence with local, professional organizations. Membership is comprised of persons employed by governmental organizations (city, county, state, federal, province, etc.) and private corporations who are interested in promoting Public Safety in the most economical manner. For more information, please visit http://www.imsasafety.org/.

About the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast (EDC)
The Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast 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 for more information.

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