Brevard County Soars: Aerospace Boom Fuels Jobs and Rocket Launches!

Brevard County, Florida - Since NASA closed the curtain on its iconic space shuttle program in July 2011, Florida’s Space Coast has been buzzing with remarkable activity. In a few short years, this region has blossomed into a vibrant hub for the high-tech space and aerospace industries, pulling in talent and investment like a magnet. According to News-Journal, the number of jobs in Brevard County’s aerospace-aviation sector has jumped dramatically, nearly doubling from 7,847 in 2017 to 14,828 in 2023. This suggests that there’s something to be said for opportunity blooming right in our own backyard!

The driving forces behind this aerospace boom include major players like SpaceX, Blue Origin, L3Harris Technologies, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin. SpaceX is in the midst of constructing its Starship-Super Heavy rocket system at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. With an eye-popping investment of $1.8 billion, they plan to bring about 600 new jobs by 2030. Meanwhile, Blue Origin is making waves with over $3 billion poured into Florida, employing more than 3,000 staff at a sprawling rocket factory on Merritt Island.

Manufacturing Momentum

What’s particularly noteworthy is the region’s growth in the manufacturing sector. While many areas are experiencing a downturn, Brevard County saw a 19% increase in manufacturing jobs since 2001, starkly contrasting with the national average, which has unfortunately plummeted by 28% in the same period, as highlighted by Space Coast EDC.

It’s not just SpaceX and Blue Origin causing the stir. L3Harris Technologies, Brevard’s third-largest employer, continues to make headlines after acquiring Aerojet Rocketdyne for $4.7 billion. Northrop Grumman keeps its roots in Melbourne by employing about 5,000 workers and undergoing expansion with additional facilities for 1,200. And let’s not forget Lockheed Martin, which is set to create 300 new jobs through a promising $140 million facility dedicated to the U.S. Navy’s Trident II missile program.

Rocket Launches and Future Projections

The Space Coast is experiencing a rocket launch renaissance! Count them—10 launches in 2011 rocketed to a staggering 93 in 2022, with SpaceX being the crown jewel responsible for 88 of those missions. Future forecasts are equally breathtaking, with predictions of 107 launches in 2025, and SpaceX aiming for a whopping 120 annual Falcon rocket launches. Talk about shooting for the stars!

Space Florida stands ready to support this skyrocketing industry. Closing 2024 with a massive 187-project pipeline valued at $6.8 billion, they emphasized their commitment to solidifying Florida as a vital player in aerospace commerce. With record numbers showing 90 launches in 2024 and over 1,300 payloads transported, the state is hitting new milestones at every turn, as noted by Space Florida.

Plans are afoot for expansive improvements to infrastructure, which includes crucial investments totaling nearly $3 billion to bolster space transportation capabilities. By 2035, Florida will need to manage the ambitious goal of transporting 5,000 metric tons of cargo annually to space—a task that calls for innovative solutions and extensive support from state and local authorities.

As the Space Coast continues its upward trajectory, local residents are already witnessing changes, from new housing developments to exciting commercial establishments. With this dynamic environment, one can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation—what thrilling endeavors lie ahead for Brevard County? There’s no doubt that the best is yet to come, as Florida capitalizes on its unique position as the nation’s only state to officially designate space as a mode of transportation.