Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Aerospace topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Task force hears county aviation and aerospace growth figures; Space Florida partnership discussed
Summary
City staff shared Volusia County aviation/aerospace growth — local aviation GDP rising from about $111 million to $187.9 million over a decade and county aviation/aerospace impact cited at roughly $3.9 billion supporting about 18,000 jobs — and discussed leveraging airport land and Space Florida partnerships to attract related businesses.
Samantha Bergeron, New Smyrna Beach’s economic development director, briefed the task force on aviation and aerospace economic activity in Volusia County and possibilities for local leverage.
Bergeron said county aviation GDP increased from roughly $111 million to about $187.9 million over 10 years and cited a countywide aviation/aerospace economic-impact figure of about $3.9 billion supporting roughly 18,000 jobs. "So it's increasing everywhere," Bergeron said, adding that Volusia has seen a 69% job increase in aviation-related roles over a decade and a 16% increase in business establishments in the sector.
She described efforts to use remaining airport-adjacent land to attract aerospace-supply and related firms by working with the airport manager and partners such as Space Florida. "We could work with Space Florida who basically is federally funded," Bergeron said, noting that Space Florida can lease government-owned land and provide financing and incentives to help land aerospace-related companies.
Chairman Wauke added that Space Florida uses the term "special dirt" to describe government-owned land eligible for certain incentives, and staff discussed the feasibility of seeking Space Florida involvement through land agreements with private developments such as Deering Park.
Members also discussed local infrastructure projects that would affect economic development: the proposed Wave Park surf center at Edgewater and ongoing marina/dock replacement work in New Smyrna Beach. Bergeron said several RFPs and infrastructure investments are under way, and members flagged traffic and aesthetic concerns related to large-scale housing and mixed-use builds.
No formal action was taken; staff encouraged members to attend county economic-development meetings and noted upcoming events where the topic will be discussed further.
