Fly Further and Faster with a Workforce that gets You There

A irplanes are flying, soldiers are being protected and firefighters are getting to the scene because of people working in the Bradenton Area. The aviation/aerospace/defense industry is composed of many sectors that create and support private and governmental entities. The capabilities of skilled workers in this industry vary from identifying emerging technologies, developing and assembling parts, intelligence and surveillance.  The growth of the Bradenton Area’s critical aerospace and defense businesses has attracted more skilled professionals to the region to support the emerging technologies represented in the industry.

Homeland security and defense businesses already have a footprint in Manatee County. While avionics – electronics for aircraft – have been an expanding niche in the region, many diverse ventures and products are represented, as well. A few examples include fire truck manufacturing for both municipal and defense customers; power supplies and lighting controls for aviation applications; and design engineering and product development for government, military and commercial markets.

Our collaborative partnerships provide customized and flexible training programs and access to funding sources for employee skills upgrades. A highly responsive workforce development ecosystem adapts to employers’ needs as evolving technologies place new demands on training your manufacturing workforce. Find out more about our Workforce and Education programs by clicking the button below.

Tax Exemptions for Aviation Aerospace and Defense Companies

F lorida offers Sales and Use Tax Exemptions on a number of different categories of the Aviation and Aerospace Sector.

• Electricity on the manufacturing process
• Labor component of the research and development expenditures
• Aircraft parts, modifications, maintenance and repair, sale or lease of qualified aircraft

Maintenance and Repair of Aircraft – exemptions on the amount of labor charged that is part of the maintenance and repair
Equipment Used in Aircraft Repair – exemptions on the sale of equipment used to repair or maintain an aircraft for flight operations in Florida
Fixed Wing Aircraft Leases or Sales – exemptions on the lease or sale of fixed-wing aircraft used by “common carrier” that is defined by FAA

Our High Impact Performance Incentive Grant (HIPI), provides a negotiated grant used to attract and grow major high impact facilities to Florida. Grants are provided through a pre-approved application that is designated by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). The project must be in the following high impact sectors; advanced manufacturing, clean energy, corporate headquarters, financial services, life sciences, and transportation equipment; creating at least 50 new full-time equivalent jobs (25 if in R&D) and make a total investment of at least $50 Million ($25 Million if R&D) in three year period.  Once approved the business is awarded 50% of the grant upon commencement and the remainder upon full employment and completion.