High-flying Florida is flashing its colors and its famous sunshine this week at the world's premier commercial and military aviation and space trade fair, and it's paying off for Gov. Rick Scott and the nearly 80 Florida-based companies, educational institutions and state agencies he's taken to Paris with him.
The Sunshine State has the largest of the United States' 34 state pavilions at the 50th annual International Paris Air Show, and even in the second day the effort is paying off measurably. On Tuesday, Scott and president and CEO of Vision Systems, Carl Putman, announced that Vision Systems, a Lyon, France-based tier one supplier for the aeronautics, marine, and automotive industries, will open its first U.S. subsidiary on the Space Coast.
The project is the companys first foreign direct investment project in the United States. Unveiled Tuesday at the show, it is expected to offer 40 new jobs and nearly $1.2 million in capital investment in the Melbourne community.
It was a coup for Scott and the Enterprise Florida team that put the deal together: The Space Coast was selected over sites in Georgia, North Carolina and Texas.
Said Scott, Todays announcement further demonstrates the importance of Floridas international missions. I am thrilled ..."
According to the governor's press statement, with an eye toward working with current customers with strong U.S. operations, including HondaJet and Gulfstream, Vision Systems 12,000-square-foot facility will also ease trade development opportunities across its aeronautics, marine, and automotive industries.
Said CEO Putman, We felt it was essential for Vision Systems to be located in America. We feel confident in moving our first American location to Floridas Space Coast. This location will enable us to be closer to our U.S. customers and to expand our business activities in this area. We thank Governor Scott, Enterprise Florida, and the EDC for helping to make this move a great opportunity for Vision Systems, and for Florida families.
Scott said the company will bring on 10 workers by the end of 2013 and generate a total of 40 manufacturing and engineering jobs within three years with a $40,555 average annual salary.
Said Florida Secretary of Commerce and President and CEO of Enterprise Florida Gray Swoope, Vision Systems choosing Melbourne for their first foreign direct investment project in the nation demonstrates Floridas competitive advantages in this high-impact industry sector.
Earlier in the day Scott announced that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University President Dr. John P. Johnson and Diamond Aircraft Industries CEO and owner Christian Dries signed a partnership agreement that will establish the global manufacturers presence at the Universitys Daytona Beach campus.
Said the Florida contingent, "As part of the agreement, Diamond will expand its current international research and development program and other initiatives working with Embry-Riddle students, staff and faculty from the universitys engineering and aviation colleges as well as its Eagle Flight Research Center."
On Monday, Scott joined the cheerleading squad for jet-manufacturer Embraer, which procured aircraft orders for as many as 365 twin-engine passenger jetliners. Embraer's U.S. headquarters is based in Fort Lauderdale.
"We are proud of Embraer's success at the air show today," Scott crowed. "Embraer is the first foreign airplane manufacturer to build planes in the U.S. and they chose Florida for those operations."
Embraer sponsored the 2013 Florida Pavilion, which, Scott added, "makes them an incredible partner and a force for job creation in the Sunshine State.
Stuart Varney of Fox Business Network on Monday interviewed Ed Pozzuoli, president of the Fort Lauderdale law firm Tripp Scott. Varney asked Pozzuoli how he knows "it's working," as Scott claims, that Florida is winning the job recruitment battle.
Said Pozzuoli, "Today, Governor Scott is in France touting the aerospace and aviation industries of Florida. This is a constant drumbeat. And I think that Florida offers not just sun and fun, but the right business opportunities for businesses to come, basically, on a one-way ticket and relocate here."
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423.
