Space Coast Competitive Advantages

Transcription

1 Space Coast Competitive Advantages Presented by: Adam Lowenstein, Director, Marketing and Communications Economic Development Commission of Florida s Space Coast

2 Space Coast Competitive Advantages Quality of Life Education Economic Vitality

3 Quality of Life

4 Quality of Life Perception: Brevard County offers a dull quality of life and minimal activities.

5 Quality of Life Reality:

6 Quality of Life Reality:

7 Quality of Life Perception: Brevard County is hot and muggy and ravaged by hurricanes. We are here Our house is here Our car is here Our dog is here

8 Reality:

9 Quality of Life Perception: The Space Coast is comprised solely of retirees and senior citizens.

10 Quality of Life Reality: The median age of citizens on the Space Coast is 45.7, according to latest data. 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% Median Age: 45.7 Age Distribution People 34 and younger comprise 37.6% of Brevard County s population, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 10% 5% 0% 0 to 4 5 to to to 24 Age groups 25 to to 64 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Estimates of Population Program year olds make up 14.7% of the population.

11 Education

12 Education Perception: Brevard County does not have highly rated schools.

13 Education Reality: #5 Florida, Best Educational System in the U.S. #8 district out of 67 in Florida for student achievement, school year

14 Education Perception: If you want to go to a good college, you have to leave Central Florida.

15 Education Reality: Florida Institute of Technology, America s Top Colleges, Forbes 2012 Brevard Community College, Top 20 Associate degrees awarded in the U.S., National Center for Education Statistics, 2012 University of Central Florida, Best Up-and-Coming Schools, U.S. News & World Report, 2012 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Best Aerospace / Aeronautical / Astronautical University, U.S. News & World Report, 2012

16 Business Climate/ Economic Vitality

17 Business Climate/ Economic Vitality Perception: The Space Coast has high unemployment and no jobs.

18 Jan-00 Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-05 Jan-06 Jan-07 Jan-08 Jan-09 Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Business Climate/ Economic Vitality Reality: Brevard County unemployment rate at 7.3%. 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% US Unemployment Rate FL Unemployment Rate Brevard Unemployment Rate

19 Business Climate/ Economic Vitality Reality: Over the last year companies relocating and expanding on the Space Coast have announced over 2,000 jobs and $340 million in capital investment.

20 Business Climate/ Economic Vitality Perception: The Space Coast may have a high-tech heritage but it doesn t have the highly skilled work force to carry if forward.

21 Business Climate/ Economic Vitality Reality:

22 Business Climate/Economic Vitality Perception: Taxes on the Space Coast are too high.

23 Business Climate/Economic Vitality No state or local personal income tax Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville MSA has a state and local tax index of 83 while the national index is 100. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville MSA ranks below the state average in per capita property tax levies, Florida Tax Watch, 2011 Brevard County ranks 57th out of 67 counties in county government property tax millage rates, Florida Tax Watch, th largest County, 57th lowest tax burden

24 Business Climate/ Economic Vitality Perception: Now that the space program is gone, Brevard County s economic vitality will go away, too.

25 Business Climate/ Economic Vitality Reality: Kennedy Space Center is not closed for business! More than a dozen unmanned rocket launches are scheduled for 2013; commercial crew vehicle development under way. Private businesses tapping into KSC s amazing infrastructure

26 Business Climate/ Economic Vitality Reality: Space Coast Economic Diversity

27 What can you do? Become a Space Coast advocate Find this presentation on our website at And on our Facebook page at

28 Thank you