FloridaWest NEWS

PSC BREAKS GROUND ON AVIATION AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANICS PROGRAM FACILITY

On April 7, Pensacola State College held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new 34,000-square-foot Aviation Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics Program facility at Pensacola International Airport.

PSC President Ed Meadows and Gordon “Flash” Sprague, Chair of the PSC Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude to the many partners involved in establishing the Pensacola State College’s Aviation Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics program and facility...

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MORE LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Photo courtesy of AIHMC

IHMC SUMMER ROBOTIC CAMP

IHMC’s 2025 Summer Robotics Camp will offer students the opportunity to learn about computer programming and robotics. Campers work in teams to master Lego challenges. They will further develop their teamwork skills, their confidence in problem solving, and their creativity...

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Photo courtesy of FloridaWest

GE VERNOVA’S $70 MILLION EXPANSION

GE Vernova completed a $70 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Escambia County, Florida. This investment reflects the company’s continued confidence in the region and its commitment to strengthening U.S.-based manufacturing for the clean energy sector...

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Dr. Charletha Powell honored in Pensacola City Lifestyle Magazine

FloridaWest board member Dr. Charletha Powell is featured in Pensacola City Lifestyle Magazine's May 2025 edition: "Celebrating Extraordinary Women." The issue is slated to hit newsstands soon!

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WHY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS ESCAMBIA COUNTY'S BEST INVESTMENT

Over the past decade, a $5.75 million cumulative investment by the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners to PEDC has generated more than $31.3 million in new gross ad valorem tax revenue, which is a 444% Return on Investment (ROI).

In addition, the investment has yielded a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 18.47%, reflecting steady, above-average performance over a 10-year period. These metrics position Escambia County’s economic development efforts as a leading example of successful public-private partnership and fiscal stewardship...

Read the full article here

Chris Platé

Chief Executive Officer

FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance

EVENTS

Taco Thursday at CO:LAB Pensacola

CO:LAB hosts Taco Thursday🌮 for its Resident Entrepreneurs the last Thursday of every month!

Taco Thursday is all about enjoying scrumptious tacos, learning, sharing best practices and encouraging each other.

Guests are welcome, just email us for reservations as seating is limited.

1 Million Cups at CO:LAB Pensacola

1 Million Cups ☕ is your monthly opportunity to get together with other entrepreneurs and talk shop.

You'll hear local entrepreneurs introduce their businesses and discuss your own small business with other like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators over coffee and conversation.

We'll have the coffee ready, you bring the ideas!

The first Wednesday of every month, 9:00 a.m. at CO:LAB.

Story ideas?

If you have an idea for an article or would like to have an event included in this newsletter, please email us!

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FloridaWest EDA • 3 West Garden Street #618 • 850-898-2201

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