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Beauty, brawn, brains and bucks: with its vigorous economy and international charm, Southeast Florida is an ever-stronger locale for business.

Article Excerpt
When Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer needed a U.S. engineering operation, it studied sites in several states before opening in Palm Beach County with five people in early 2001. Embraer Engineering Services has since expanded to 114 high-paid employees who design aircraft parts and interiors and provide support for Federal Aviation Authority certification of Embraer products.

Southeast Florida has proven to be an excellent choice, says Gary Spulak, president of Embraer Aircraft Holding Inc.

"Florida's strategic location, great infrastructure, the availability of highly qualified and skilled aerospace professionals and cultural diversity make it a very attractive place to conduct business," says Spulak.

Embraer's move was prompted by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who led a Team Florida Business Development mission to Brazil. "We have received assistance and great cooperation from state and local government," says Spulak.

"Embraer has brought to this area a very highly skilled employment center," says Larry Pelton, president of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. "One of the things we've attempted to do is put a focus on aviation, especially the research and development side of aviation."

"We think we're a good environment for that kind of company, and Embraer has proven that," says Pelton. "Having an internationally recognized corporation definitely brings attention to the excellent quality of life of our community. It's a very good testimony for us."

Embraer recently also expanded in nearby Broward County by building a 16,000-square-foot corporate sales center at Fort Lauderdale International Airport. The firm employs 212 people in Broward, and Embraer in mid-2003 also announced new plans for an aircraft production facility in Jacksonville for U.S. defense and homeland security markets.

And because Embraer is one of the world's largest commercial jet makers, Florida's stature in both R&D and global commerce has benefited.

Everything necessary

In short, Embraer and Southeast Florida are a great pairing, and hundreds of other companies have discovered the many attributes that make the region perfect for business location and expansion.

At the core of the region are Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Rroward counties, a single federal MSA with more than 5.2 million people and about 100 cities and towns. Combined with Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River to the north and...