With operations in Brevard for hightech, aerospace and defense manufacturing giants like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Embraer and Blue Origin, it certainly pays to be in the manufacturing sector. An average of 1 in every 8 jobs in Brevard is in manufacturing, according to labor market data company Emsi.

“We’re business friendly,” says Julie Song, a founder and advisoryboard member of the Manufacturers Association of Florida’s Space Coast.

Space Coast manufacturing extends beyond aerospace and aviation. The region has over 500 manufacturing companies making everything from paint, plastics and pharmaceuticals to clothing, cables and composites.

Across Brevard, companies are creating products ranging from food to yachts. Melbourne is home to smallbatch production Joy’s International Foods. Light Wing Studios in Titusville makes protective covers for musical instruments. Merritt Island Boat Works builds yachts and SeaDek of Rockledge produces innovative foam surfaces with non-slip properties for the marine environment.