Embraer Aircraft Holding, Inc. opened its 63,500-square-foot Embraer Engineering and Technology Center USA Center of Excellence in Melbourne, Florida. The company’s new $24.2 million facility will house 200 new research and engineering professionals.

Governor Rick Scott said, “Embraer’s commitment to Florida and their creation of 200 jobs will help more Florida families get back to work and live the American Dream. This project is great news for the Space Coast and I’m excited to see this company grow as they open today. Since December 2010, we have created more than 620,000 private-sector jobs and we will continue working hard to create an opportunity economy where every Floridian who wants a job can get one.”

Situated on 13 acres, the Engineering and Technology Center houses a state-of-the-art engineering unit, complete with 3D computer-aided design, computational fluid dynamics, finite element modeling, 3D virtual reality center, prototype capabilities and sophisticated laboratories and other test equipment. Employment specialties will include mechanical and electrical systems engineers, interior design engineers, structural engineers and certification engineers. The company plans to partner with universities and other institutions in the U.S. to develop “programs of mutual benefit” and bring its Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 business jets closer to potential U.S. customers.

“As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of our North American presence this month, we are once again expanding our longstanding relationship with the State of Florida and the Brevard community with the opening of a cutting-edge Engineering & Technology Center” said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer S.A. President/CEO. “With the highly qualified team of engineers that will work in these offices and laboratories, we will bring the most advanced solutions to our customers.”

Secretary of Commerce and President/CEO of Enterprise Florida, Gray Swoope said, “When Governor Scott and I visited Embraer’s R&D center in Brazil in 2011, we were able to see first-hand what having them here could do for Florida. Because of the strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Space Coast EDC, Brevard County, the Melbourne International Airport and Space Florida, we can bring competitive, game-changing projects like this new Center of Excellence to Florida. Embraer could have located this new engineering facility anywhere in the world, but they chose Florida and we appreciate their continued commitment to the state.”

This project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, CareerSource Florida, the Economic Development Council of Florida’s Space Coast and the City of Melbourne. As part of the project, CareerSource Florida has offered Embraer performance-based partial reimbursement grants for employee training through the Quick Response Training program.

“Embraer is a leader in the aerospace industry and their choice to expand operations in Florida is a big win for our state. By adding 200 research and engineering jobs to the Melbourne community and the state’s economy, Embraer is contributing to our economic turnaround story,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Director Jesse Panuccio. “This administration is committed to building an opportunity economy in which businesses have the supports and confidence to grow and create jobs for Florida families.”

“Embraer opened the door to the rapidly growing aviation sector in Brevard, and as a result, our community’s stock has risen,” said Lynda Weatherman, president and chief executive officer, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “In a matter of years, the face of the Space Coast’s business community has transformed into a hotbed of aviation activity because this dedicated community team was able to show Embraer what we had to offer, our workforce, our lifestyle, our aviation heritage and our forward vision. That message is translating into new opportunities for the Space Coast.”