KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott attended the grand opening of Boeing’s new Commercial Crew Cargo & Processing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center and highlighted their plans to add 550 new jobs on the Space Coast this year. Currently, Boeing employs over 1,400 Floridians and is the world’s largest aerospace company and a top U.S. exporter.

Governor Rick Scott said, “Leaders in the aerospace and aviation industry like Boeing are choosing Florida over other states because of our world-class facilities, advanced infrastructure and commitment to cutting taxes. Enterprise Florida is laser-focused on the long-term success of companies like Boeing and has been instrumental in helping them expand in Florida. We must fully fund EFI so Florida remains competitive in the global economy.”

In partnership with Enterprise Florida and Space Florida, Boeing has modernized its Orbital Processing Facility-3 into a brand new Commercial Crew Cargo & Processing Facility (C3PF) at the Kennedy Space Center that will house the creation of NASA’s latest spacecraft technology.

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said, “I’m proud to join the Governor to highlight Boeing’s expansion and job creation here in the Space Coast. Companies like Boeing are diversifying our economy and giving Floridians more opportunities. I look forward to continuing to work with Enterprise Florida and local partners to bring more companies like Boeing to Florida to keep our aerospace industry strong.”

"Boeing has a rich history here in the Sunshine State and we look forward to furthering that legacy with the CST-100 and NASA's Commercial Crew Program," said John Elbon, Boeing vice president and program manager of Commercial Programs. "Our ability to grow our footprint is thanks in large part to partners like Enterprise Florida, who help to create a favorable business environment where Boeing, its employees and their families can thrive."

Bill Johnson, CEO and President of EFI, said, “Florida’s Space Coast is on a roll thanks to great companies like Boeing that are expanding here and creating more jobs. Boeing is a great example of a company that is diversifying Florida’s economy and continuing to put us on a path to success. Continuing to fund EFI will allow more companies like Boeing to create jobs and diversify our economy here in Florida.”

Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Boeing’s expansion shows that Florida is still the best state in the country for companies in the aerospace and aviation industry. Florida’s Space Coast has the infrastructure and talent needed to attract new businesses and give existing businesses reasons to stay and grow. Thanks to this administration’s business-friendly policies and our partnership with Enterprise Florida, about 550 new jobs will be created here.”

Frank DiBello, President of Space Florida said, “We are extremely pleased that Boeing continues to create jobs here on the Space Coast. This positions our state well for future growth and a continued leadership role in the nation’s next generation commercial space and human space exploration initiatives. We are grateful to the legislature for their sustained support and funding of Enterprise Florida and Space Florida which enabled this project and which are essential for our future ability to continue to attract companies like Boeing and create jobs for our community.”

To learn more about The Boeing Company, visit their website HERE.

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