• “ There ’ s so much that ’ s going to change in that area in the next five years . There ’ s a great synergy there and the campus is a big player in that ,” Blake said .
• The transformed campus might also help the city convince Brightline to build a station on Clearlake Road and State Road 524 for its Orlando-to-Miami high-speed train , something the city has been advocating .
• Cocoa City Councilwoman Lorraine Koss , whose district includes the campus , was equally enthusiastic .
• She said the upgraded campus will tie in perfectly with more than $ 20 million in improvements planned for Clearlake Road , which acts as the campus front door .
• “ Nothing will make more of a difference in that area of the city and its neighborhoods . I see the potential for a lot of development , a real renaissance there ,” she said .
• To Weatherman , the campus ’ enhanced focus on high-tech facilities and training will be central to the EDC ’ s work to attract new companies in commercial space , robotics , and satellite and rocket manufacturing . Additionally , there are mid-sized companies in the Cocoa Campus area that can benefit as well .
• “ In trying to attract new companies , we win it or lose it based on workforce . The improved campus with its new buildings and expanded programs will help us make our case . It gives us the ultimate competitive advantage ,” Weatherman said .
• An example of that advantage can be seen with growing apprenticeship programs for Cocoa Campus students with local industry , including major commercial space companies at Kennedy Space Center .
• “ Apprentices split their time between attending oncampus classes in aerospace technology , mechatronics , advanced machining and hands-on work with the companies ,” said Brian Kamm , Founder and Lead Advisor for the Space Coast Consortium Apprenticeship Program .
• A dozen companies , including Blue Origin and Airbus OneWeb Satellites , participate now . Kamm wants to expand the number to 20 in 2023 .
• “ To do that , we need more facilities , more equipment and more instructors . The Cocoa Campus plan moves that forward in a major way . It couldn ’ t come at a better time ,” said Kamm .
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