GOVERNOR CRIST WELCOMES EMBRAER TO MELBOURNE
~~ ~~ Brazilian aircraft manufacturer to invest $50 million, expected to yield 200 jobs by 2011 ~~ ~~
May 13, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
MELBOURNE – Governor Charlie Crist today joined Frederico Curado, president and chief executive officer of Embraer, to announce the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer’s investment of approximately $50 million to establish new manufacturing facilities at the Melbourne Airport. In November 2007, the Governor visited with Curado during a five-day trade and economic development mission to Brazil, during which he met with Brazil’s top business leaders and senior government officials.
“We are honored to welcome one of the world’s leading producers in the aviation industry to Florida’s Space Coast, especially after touring their headquarters in São José dos Campos last year,” Governor Crist said. “As Embraer strengthens their presence in Florida, I am confident we will see opportunities for new jobs, as well as other benefits to the Space Coast community.”
The new 149,500 square foot “state of the art” factory will be Embraer’s first in the United States. It will be dedicated to the final assembly, painting and delivery and customer center operations for the company’s Phenom business jet aircraft.
“Developing this new facility will allow Embraer to respond to the growing demands of its executive jets business and reaffirms our commitment to meet and exceed customer requirements and expectations,” said Curado. “We are very excited and confident that our new location, in Melbourne, Florida, will be a successful step and a special milestone for the company. We look forward to working with local officials to finalize the proposal and begin the development of this new facility.”
Embraer’s commitment to the community is to create approximately 200 jobs by 2011 that include aircraft assembly, production planning, logistics and quality, aircraft interior design, corporate administration, certain engineering functions, and aircraft painting, delivery and flight testing.
Partners on the project include Enterprise Florida, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC), the City of Melbourne, and the Melbourne Airport Authority (MLB). The Project is subject to the negotiation and execution of binding definitive documents, approval of local and state incentives, satisfaction of certain conditions precedent and customary closing conditions.
About Embraer
Embraer is the world’s third largest manufacturer of commercial jets and one of Brazil’s leading export companies. The United States headquarters for Embraer is located in Fort Lauderdale, which operates commercial and executive aircraft marketing, customer support, product support and external relations. Embraer Florida sales reached $176 million in 2006, generating exports of $118 million and imports of $110 million. Since 1979 Embraer has expanded its business and created jobs in Broward County through direct investment in the local economy and now employs 282 individuals.
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