BusinessFriday, November 6
FSU INSPIRE has broken ground on an aerospace research facility in Bay County
The Daily Panama City team
If you've been curious about the 23 acres near Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, here's the answer: Florida State University's INSPIRE program will operate an aerospace research and advanced manufacturing facility there. The St. Joe Company donated the land in its Venture Crossings Enterprise Centre, and construction on the first phase broke ground Monday, Nov. 2.
23 acresdonated by The St. Joe Company for the INSPIRE facility
The land sits just south of Northwest Florida Beaches Airport.
Sources: WJHG, mypanhandle.com
Executive Director Drew Allen, a former U.S. Air Force commander and test pilot, said the first phase will house an additive manufacturing facility of about 52,000 square feet, with a little office space. Later phases will add a hypersonic wind tunnel to test high-speed defense technology.
- First phase: manufacturing and testing facilities, plus office space
- Industrial space: about 45,000 square feet
- Expected completion: beginning of 2028
“We can make this a year-round, high-tech economy here in the panhandle.”
The first-phase additive manufacturing facility will be about 52,000 square feet
Floor area of Additive manufacturing facility, beside places you know
11 basketball courts would fit inside Additive manufacturing facility
Source: mypanhandle.com
View as table
| Floor area | |
|---|---|
| Additive manufacturing facility | 52,000 sq. ft. |
| A football field | 57,600 sq. ft. (end zones included) |
| A basketball court | 4,700 sq. ft. (NBA size) |
Sources: WJHG, mypanhandle.com