TITUSVILLE – Thomas Rainey, director of the Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center (FNBIC), officially graduated today one of his largest tenants -- Command and Control Technologies (CCT) Corporation – after a three-year successful stay at the facility.

CCT, which provides high technology computer products and system development services to the commercial and government aerospace market, joined the Incubator as a visionary, three-man company in February 1997. The co-founders had worked together for 15 years at McDonnell Douglas, now The Boeing Company, developing state-of-the-art command and control technology for the International Space Station. Seeing the numerous applications in other commercial space operations, the co-founders licensed their technology and launched their own high-tech, small business via the FNBIC.

Now three years later, CCT boasts 20 employees and a 350 percent increase in sales from the launch of the company. They currently have approximately 25 proposals out in the market, which could ultimately mean hiring 15-20 more employees by the end of the year.

“The FNBIC is a fantastic launching point for new high tech businesses,” said Kevin Brown, vice president of business development for CCT. “Now as a graduate, I have become a strong crusader for the program, telling anyone who is thinking of launching a high-tech business to give these guys a try. With the resources that the FNBIC provides, it is absolutely worth it,” he added.

During their first year of operation, CCT relied heavily on the FNBIC’s access to a business network of professionals, including bankers, lawyers and accountants, who provided free consultation on the issues surrounding the launch of a business. In addition, the Incubator’s rates and established fixtures allowed CCT to save money, focus on generating cash and grow their company. As CCT entered into its second and third years as an Incubator tenant, they began to notice that being an Incubator tenant also carried some weight in the community. “Being an Incubator tenant opened many doors for us with local economic development organizations, various contractors and divisions within NASA-KSC, who truly wanted to see us succeed,” Brown said.

“It has been very exciting to watch CCT grow from a small, start-up business into a very successful and viable company,” Rainey said. “We only hope more entrepreneurs will follow CCT’s suit and take advantage of our vast resources,” he added.

Established in 1996, the Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center nurtures and helps accelerate the success of technology-based, small businesses in Brevard County. Located on the Titusville campus of Brevard Community College, the Incubator provides affordable space and shared office equipment and services, thereby reducing many of the costs associated with establishing and operating a small business. In addition, they provide access to many NASA and other technological-based resources that help each tenant grow and prosper. The Incubator is managed through a joint partnership of Florida’s TRDA, NASA-Kennedy Space Center and Brevard Community College.

For more information on CCT, call (321) 264-1193 or visit their Web site at www.cctcorp.com. For more information on becoming a tenant of the FNBIC, call (321) 383-5200.