The countdown to the countdown is on. Space nerds everywhere (including BDBMC staff) are watching the clock in anticipation of NASA’s Artemis II launch.
Set to take off in March this will be the first crewed flight around the Moon in a half-century. It’s even more exciting when considering the contributions Martin County businesses make to the space program and space exploration.
Our community has long been home to companies whose ingenuity and advanced manufacturing talents and capabilities provide essential assets to the aerospace and defense industries. It’s no surprise that many are now reaching heights beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.
Several examples in Martin County immediately come to mind.
- Coaxial Components Corp. specializes in RF microwave components—electronic devices designed to transmit and receive high-frequency signals—for the defense and space industries.
- PACE Machine & Tool creates precision tooling, fixturing, parts manufacturing and more for its customers in the space and defense industries.
- P3 Technologies develops advanced turbomachinery systems for aerospace, defense,
- and energy applications. Their R&D facility will test hydrogen and other cryogenic fuels.
- South East Machine manufactures complex components for equipment and apparatus used in the space industry (as well as in aerospace, defense, marine and energy).
Thanks to the efforts of these and other local businesses helping propel the national priority of space exploration, Martin County’s economic horizon is bright, giving all of us good reason to keep looking up.
Elevating profile of ‘Made in Florida’
We met with the members of the Martin County Delegation—Sen. Gayle Harrell, Rep. John Snyder and Rep. Toby Overdorf—shared our priorities, soaked in their insights and advocated for policies that support a strong economic climate so new and existing businesses can flourish.
We’re encouraged by the state’s prioritization of expanding its manufacturing sector. This is personified with the establishment of a statewide chief manufacturing officer position. The position will be housed under the Florida Department of Commerce, with Deputy Secretary of Economic Development Jason Mahon in the new CMO role.
His responsibilities include, among others, aligning state and local efforts on manufacturing, creating the Florida Manufacturers’ Workforce Development Grant Program, and launching the “Made in Florida” program to promote local products.
Perhaps most impressively, the CMO will also pursue the goal of solidifying a spot for Florida among the nation’s top five producers of manufacturing jobs over the next four years. No doubt the remarkable talent and output of our many Martin County manufacturers will play key roles in helping the state achieve this goal.
