In partnership with the Melbourne Airport Authority, NASA, the City of Melbourne and Brevard County, TRDA will construct a 30,998 square-foot small business incubation center at 1050 West NASA Boulevard, near the Melbourne International Airport, designed to house a business incubation program to provide resources, services, and facilities for area entrepreneurs.

A groundbreaking for the estimated $3.8 million facility occurred February 24 2006, with an opening anticipated in Spring 2007.

The new incubator program is targeted to lead 30 to 35 new or expanding companies and create 70 to 100 jobs in the first 4 years.

An advisory board will select tenants after an application process.  Once selected, the companies sign a service agreement in which the participants pay a monthly fee that includes a variety of services and work space.

This economic development project will support NASA's goal of developing new technologies, improve the small business environment in the region, provide resources needed by entrepreneurs at all levels, as well as establish an avenue for low-income residents to investigate and receive support for growing their existing businesses or establishing new business ventures.

TRDA is committed to utilizing the resources of the Melbourne-based small business innovation center to help unleash the entrepreneurial spirit to create jobs and community wealth in Brevard County, Florida.