Investment to Bring 300 Jobs, Millions of Dollars to Melbourne
Thursday, May 8, 2014
By: Amy Kiley

May 8, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando-Melbourne will gain 300 jobs from a Northrop Grumman Corporation investment announced today. The expansion means hundreds of millions of dollars for the region.

Northrop Grumman will expand its Manned Aircraft Design Center of Excellence with a new, 220,000 square-foot building.  The new center will bring 300 high-wage jobs to the area, and a possible second phase of expansion could bring 1,500 more.

Melbourne City Manager Mike McNees says the economic boost goes beyond construction and company staff.  "If you think about $200 million a year in payroll, that’s people buying groceries, people eating at restaurants, buying clothing, furniture, houses, automobiles," he says.  "All those people living in Brevard, spending that money – the ripple effects are enormous."

McNees says a list of organizations collaborated to woo Northrop Grumman into the investment.  As an incentive, the state is offering the company $21 million in cash and tax breaks.