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Claudia Devitt, Sr Manager, Marketing and Communications
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CDevitt@SpaceCoastEDC.org

EDC Leads Industry Roundtable with Candidates for State Office

Aerospace and Manufacturing Industries Take Center Stage

Brevard County, Fla (September 21, 2016) - The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) hosted a roundtable event today to discuss the economic impact aerospace and manufacturing industries have in Brevard County. Industry leaders and candidates running for state office discussed policies essential to remain competitive, and initiatives needed to maintain a thriving business climate.

Representatives from the EDC Aerospace, Aviation & National Security (AANS) Council, EDC Government Relations Council and EDC Industry Council gathered to provide a voice for key topics including: Manufacturing Workforce, Aerospace Growth in Florida and Taxes & Regulations for Business.

Michael Ennis, Chair of the EDC Industry Council and Manufacturing Engineer at Harris Corporation, spoke to the strength of the manufacturing industry in Brevard County.

“Brevard County has the highest manufacturing employment concentration in the state of Florida,” stated Michael Ennis, “For our community to retain companies and investment, it is important our future state leaders understand the impact manufacturing provides to our economy.”

For decades, Brevard County has served as one of the global leaders in space related activities. The EDC’s AANS Council, currently led by Joe Mayer, Director of Government Relations - FL for Lockheed Martin Space Systems, echoed the need for support among lawmakers in Tallahassee.

“This region is contributing toward the development of the Orion-Space Launch Exploration Mission-1, focused on the nation’s human journey to Mars,” stated Joe Mayer. “Program milestones are being conquered here on the Space Coast and it is our responsibility, as community leaders, to actively engage our elected representatives about issues affecting our industries.”

“Since 2008, the EDC roundtable events provide our industries with a forum to access our local and national leaders.” stated Lynda Weatherman, President and CEO of the EDC of Florida’s Space Coast. “This platform builds relationships between industry experts and lawmakers in turn driving pro-business policies forward.

The EDC has engaged multiple candidates seeking high office to educate, advocate and understand industry policy positions. The EDC has had the privilege to engage such candidates as then-Senator Barack Obama, Senator John McCain, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Governor Mitt Romney, U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy and most recently U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.

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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.

Photo Caption: Appearing in this photo from left to right: Rep. Debbie Mayfield, Candidate for FL Senate, District 17; Rep. Rene Plasencia, Candidate for FL House District 50; Rep. Tom Goodson, Candidate for FL House District 51; David Kearns, Candidate for FL House District 53; Joe Mayer, Chair of the EDC Aerospace, Aviation & National Security Council; Sen. Thad Altman, Candidate for FL House District 52; Amy Tidd, Candidate for FL Senate District 17; Randy Fine, Candidate for FL House District 53; Mike Ennis, EDC Industry Council & MASC Chair; Emmanuel Tormes, The Boeing Company; Randy Fine, Candidate for FL House District 53; Kevin Gholston, EDC Government Relations Council Chair; Rick Kendust, Northrop Grumman Corporation; Dale Ketchum, Space Florida; Barney Bishop, Barney Bishop Consulting, LLC.