be put to work.
through events, networking and committees.
Since 2011, the EDC has announced more
A unique aspect of the organization is its hands-on approach to
than 30 new high tech projects in the
professional development.
region creating nearly 7,000 new jobs with
an economic impact of nearly $2 bi llion.
Varied committees comprised of members interested in growing local
Among them … Embraer, the Brazilian aircraft
tech initiatives, drive programs for business leaders, including education,
manufacturer that added 800 jobs, and
manufacturing, entrepreneurship, mentoring and more. SCTC members
Northrop Grumman that will bring 1,800.
are at the core of the organization: speaking up about what they need,
The New Kid on the Block
crafting solutions and providing the manpower to get it done.
As teamwork endures in Brevard County, a new
In an effort to spotlight the varied high tech community, a signature event
organization joins the ranks to help secure high
was adopted – TechXpo. Although the event predates SCTC, it has grown
tech jobs and businesses in the region.
in part because of its members. In 2014, 1,000 attendees visited exhibitors
The Space Coast Tech Council (SCTC)
from local industries ranging from aerospace and aviation to robotics and
was created in 2014 as an organization for
medical technologies. TechXpo is held annually in October.
those displaced from the shuttle shutdown.
Instead of searching for a job, these highly
Maintaining the Momentum
skilled workers wanted to create one. Since
As job announcements continue and the workforce returns to healthy
then, SCTC has brought together the tech
levels, the focus in the Space Coast can begin to shift to attracting more
community to provide resources and facilitate
talent and an event by The Corridor seeks to help.
connections between small and established
businesses.
Started by The Corridor in 2007, Career Expo attracts top university career
placement professionals to meet with local high tech businesses and to
“If you can imagine an area of 25 huge
trees – what we want to do is have other
companies sprouting up at the bottom
of those huge trees to grow at least that
high,” said Jerry Olguin, SCTC director.
understand hiring needs in order to funnel graduates to open jobs.
“When it started, the event was before it’s time,” Weatherman said. “It filled
a need that many of us didn’t even think of. It was a great event then, and
it continues to serve as a valuable resource for our area.”
Career Expo is bringing representatives from MIT, Purdue, Clemson, NYU,
In supporting small businesses, SCTC seeks to
Duke and dozens more to Orlando February 24-26, 2015. The opportunity
help strengthen the local economy by growing
the workforce one entrepreneur at a time
florida.HIGH.TECH 2015
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