A New Dawn
Behind the Scenes
A highly skilled workforce needed to be retrained and redistributed.
Making the leap to tweak a region’s focus
CareerSource Brevard stepped up to the challenge launching programs as
in economic development is not for the
early as 2008 that helped former shuttle employees make the transition.
faint of heart. An aggressive effort included
CareerSource Brevard assisted more than 9,000 workers affected by the
convincing companies to locate projects in
shuttle loss by offering training for new skills, aid in seeking employment
Brevard County even before a bid was won.
outside of manned space programs, supporting budding entrepreneurs
And that determination was not unique to just
and more. Of those, more than 5,000 reported gaining employment.
one organization in the region.
CareerSource Brevard also worked closely with nearly 150 local businesses
According to Dale Ketcham, Space Florida
as companies struggled under economic challenges as well.
chief of strategic alliances, teamwork made
the greatest impact in helping restore the
At the same time, the EDC charged forward to bring a new facet of the
Space Coast.
aerospace industry to the Space Coast. Before 2006, the region excelled
as a launch site; however, there were opportunities for related industries to
“To achieve the future, which Space
establish work in assembly and manufacturing.
Florida and our partners have committed
That changed with the announcement of Lockheed Martin selecting the
Space Coast for its launch, assembly and testing of the Orion spacecraft, a
ourselves to, it will take the entire state
working in collaboration,” Ketcham said.
new vehicle to carry astronauts into space and back. It was one of the first
major announcements that would solidify the region as more than a launch
And it seemingly has.
site.
Numerous organizations rallied together
In recent years, SpaceX, Boeing, Harris and other global companies have
to maintain talent and rebuild the local
made announcements for launch, assembly and high tech facilities in
economy, including Space Florida, the EDC,
Brevard County creating thousands of jobs. The workforce adapted and
CareerSource Brevard, Enterprise Florida, local,
the region continues to grow in diversified industries in aerospace, plus
state and federal legislators, NASA and others.
strengthen other top industries, such as, health care, aviation, defense, and
maritime transportation.
The unified message helped steer companies
with ties to the Space Coast to grow there
and could provide comfort for those seeking
to open their doors in the area. That message
stemmed from the region’s legacy in
aerospace and a capable workforce ready to
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