Florida is providing $5.8 million from its Job Growth Grant Fund to extend Challenger Avenue and expand public infrastructure at Space Coast Innovation Park. This project is expected to create up to 1,000 high-tech jobs and boost the region’s economic recovery.
The State of Florida is providing Space Coast Regional Airport with $5.8 million from its Job Growth Grant Fund for the development of public infrastructure at Space Coast Innovation Park (SCIP), the governor said. Ron DeSantis was announced on Thursday.
According to the submitted grant application, the funds will be used to expand Challenger Avenue, a road that will connect the airport to Grissom Parkway and improve access to surrounding industrial areas. The project includes utility and stormwater systems and is essential to the SCIP development, which will create nearly 1.4 million square feet of industrial space.
The project is expected to create up to 1,000 high-tech space jobs at companies across a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, logistics and research.
“We’ve been optimistic about this area for a long time… I think the state of Florida is a really good partner to the commercial space industry and we can make a difference here,” the governor said. “I think this will create jobs and generate positive revenue for both the local community and the state of Florida.”
The Challenger Avenue extension is intended to help North Brevard County recover from the economic setbacks following the cancellation of the Space Shuttle program in 2010.
“We’re in a situation where we’re seeing a big boom in commercial investment in space, and I think we have a lot of room to take advantage of that,” DeSantis said.
Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez appeared alongside DeSantis and praised the administration’s focus on aerospace, highlighting the rapid growth of the Space Coast and the economic benefits of Space Florida. The $5.8 million will also increase the development potential of 100 acres of airport land, which has been in trouble due to a lack of developable land.
“We are excited about the construction of this road, which will connect the Space Coast Innovation Park to the Space Coast Regional Airport and bring additional jobs to the region,” she said. “As we look to the future and more aerospace companies expect to locate here, our project pipeline continues to grow.”
