Florida Space Coast Represented In Delegation At Paris Air Show
UPDATE: Gov. Rick Scott: "It's Working" - Paris Trip Brings Jobs To Florida's Space Coast
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida and PARIS, France -- Florida's Space Coast will be represented by two economic development organizations as part of a delegation lead by Florida Governor Rick Scott at the 50th International Paris Air Show this week.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida and PARIS, France -- Florida's Space Coast will be represented by two economic development organizations as part of a delegation lead by Florida Governor Rick Scott at the 50th International Paris Air Show this week.
Frank DiBello, President of Space Florida, and Lynda Weatherman, President of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, are listed by Enterprise Florida as among the Governor's delegation.
Lynda Weatherman "will promote Brevard Country’s outstanding
business climate in more than one dozen meetings she has scheduled with
industry representatives," the EDC said in an email.
The Governor's office touted four aerospace
and aviation companies located in Brevard County as "recent triumphs in attracting jobs and investment" to the Sunshine State: Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Harris, and Embraer.
“Florida is home to one of the nation’s largest aerospace and aviation industries
– more than 2,000 companies – and has long been the world’s premier
gateway to space," Governor Scott said. "The Paris Air Show presents a unique opportunity for
business and community leaders from our state to meet with the most
influential aviation and aerospace companies in the world to expand
opportunities in the Sunshine State."
Although Scott's taxpayer-funded globe-trotting delegations have come under criticism for not producing a return on jobs for the money spent, Florida Secretary of Commerce Gray Swoope defended the trip.
“Competition for the expanding aviation and aerospace industry is
growing on a global level,” said Swoope, who
also serves as president & CEO of Enterprise Florida. “There is no
greater way to succeed in our economic development efforts than to
participate in face-to-face meetings with the top executives from
leading aviation and aerospace companies. Governor Scott is deeply
committed to job creation and his involvement in the missions has been
instrumental in growing business and industry in the state.”
In addition to the business development meetings, Enterprise Florida
will also host the Florida Pavilion, the largest pavilion for any U.S. state, showcasing 16 small and mid-sized
companies and organizations looking to market their products to a
top-level international audience.
According to the Enterprise Florida website, the total cost of the trip to Florida taxpayers will be made available 30 to 60 days after the event.
Listen to Bill Mick Live discuss this topic during a recording of his Monday morning radio broadcast.
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