Real estate agents aren’t the only ones who know that location is everything. In manufacturing and technology, where you set up shop can make or break your success. The Southeast Volusia Manufacturing & Technology Coalition represents three communities that have figured this out in a big way, positioning themselves at the center of what might be the most strategically advantageous spot in all of Florida.
Picture a triangle on the map. At one point, you’ve got Kennedy Space Center and the entire Space Coast to the south. At another, there’s Daytona Beach directly to the north. And over to the west? Orlando, with all its economic muscle, sits just a short drive away. New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, and Oak Hill (the three communities that make up our coalition) sit right in the middle of this triangle, and that’s no accident. It’s pure geographic gold for manufacturing and technology companies.
Our Neighbors Launch Rockets for a Living
Being practically next door to Kennedy Space Center isn’t just cocktail party conversation. This is serious business advantage.
Some of the most cutting-edge technology work in the world happens right down the road from us. Our manufacturing companies aren’t just watching rockets blast off from their office windows (though that never gets old). They’re actually part of making it happen.
Companies throughout our three communities build precision components that end up in rockets. They manufacture specialized equipment for satellite production. They create technology that supports NASA missions and all these exciting commercial space ventures that are completely reshaping the industry.
Here’s what gets us excited: this whole commercial space revolution is just getting started. Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are turning what used to be purely government work into thriving private industry. Our manufacturers are perfectly positioned to ride that wave, helping humanity reach for the stars while building solid businesses right here in New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, and Oak Hill.
The proximity means more than short drives to major customers. We’re talking about being part of the innovation conversation. Having access to specialized suppliers and expertise. Attracting talent that wants to work on projects that actually matter.
Daytona Beach: More Than Just Racing
Having Daytona Beach International Airport just up the road might seem convenient. Actually, it’s a game-changer for how our companies do business globally.
This isn’t just about easier business travel (though your employees will definitely appreciate shorter airport commutes). Daytona Beach International provides cargo services that connect Southeast Volusia businesses to markets worldwide. Need to ship products internationally? Get specialized components from overseas suppliers? Bring in technical experts for a critical project? The airport makes it happen efficiently.
But Daytona brings more than transportation. The city offers metropolitan amenities, cultural attractions, and business services that perfectly complement Southeast Volusia’s more relaxed, community-focused atmosphere. Your employees get the best setup imaginable: great places to live and work in our three communities, with easy access to big-city resources when they want them.
Orlando’s Economic Power Next Door
Orlando stopped being just about theme parks long ago. It’s become a major economic force with thriving technology, healthcare, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors. Being close enough to tap into Orlando’s resources while keeping Southeast Volusia’s distinct advantages? Perfect scenario.
The Orlando connection means access to a massive talent pool. Specialized suppliers. Research facilities. Business services. Companies in Southeast Volusia can collaborate with Orlando-based businesses, recruit from a larger workforce, and tap into the innovation happening across Central Florida.
Think supply chain efficiency. Instead of shipping materials and components from across the country, many Southeast Volusia businesses can source what they need regionally. Lower transportation costs. Shorter lead times. More flexibility when market conditions change. It all adds up to competitive advantage.
Transportation That Actually Works
All these geographic advantages would be worthless without infrastructure to connect them. Southeast Volusia delivers big time here.
Interstate 95 runs right through our region, providing direct access to the entire Eastern Seaboard. Your products can reach markets from Miami to Boston efficiently. Interstate 4 connects Southeast Volusia to Orlando and continues west to Tampa and the Gulf Coast, opening up Florida’s entire western markets plus connections to Interstate 75 for reaching the broader Southeast.
This isn’t just highways. Rail access. Proximity to Port Canaveral for international shipping. Multiple airports within easy reach. For manufacturers, this transportation network turns logistics from a headache into a competitive weapon.
Five Airports? Yeah, We’ve Got That
Most regions consider themselves lucky to have decent airport access. Southeast Volusia has taxiway access at five local airports. Not just convenient. It’s transformational for businesses that need to move products, parts, or people quickly.
This aviation infrastructure supports our strong aerospace and manufacturing sectors perfectly. Companies can ship high-value, time-sensitive products directly via air freight. Executive teams can reach customers and suppliers without major travel hassles. For businesses in specialized industries, having multiple airport options provides redundancy and flexibility that keeps operations running no matter what.
The Sweet Spot Everyone’s Looking For
Geographic advantages aren’t just about being close to good things. They’re about finding that perfect spot where multiple advantages overlap and amplify each other. Southeast Volusia found that sweet spot.
Close enough to Kennedy Space Center to be genuine partners in the space industry ecosystem. Near enough to Daytona Beach to access metropolitan amenities and international connectivity. Within reach of Orlando’s massive economic engine and talent pool. Connected to major transportation networks linking us to markets throughout the Southeast and beyond.
But here’s the crucial part: our three communities maintain their own character and advantages within this strategic location. New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, and Oak Hill offer more affordable real estate than Orlando or Miami. We provide business-friendly environments with pro-growth policies. Quality of life stays high while costs remain reasonable. Exactly what manufacturing and technology companies need to thrive.
Room to Actually Grow
Location advantages mean nothing if there’s nowhere to expand. Our three communities offer plenty of improved and raw land for manufacturing and technology development, all positioned to leverage our geographic benefits.
This isn’t just empty space sitting around. It’s strategically located land with access to utilities, transportation, and workforce. Manufacturing and tech companies can start small and scale up without having to pack up and move as they grow. They can design facilities that take full advantage of our logistics benefits while serving markets throughout Florida and the Southeast.
When Networks Actually Network
Maybe the most powerful thing about our location is how it creates network effects. Being positioned between major economic centers means manufacturing and technology businesses here can participate in multiple ecosystems simultaneously.
A manufacturing company in our coalition might supply the space industry to the south, work with automotive companies throughout the Southeast via I-95 connectivity, collaborate with tech firms in Orlando, and ship products internationally through Daytona Beach or Port Canaveral. That diversification provides stability and growth opportunities that single-market locations simply can’t offer.
Our location also attracts other businesses with similar strategic thinking. As more companies recognize Southeast Volusia’s advantages, they create this concentration of expertise, suppliers, and collaborative opportunities that benefits everyone in the region.
Positioned for What Comes Next
Geographic advantages that matter today will matter even more tomorrow. As Florida continues its rapid population and economic growth, Southeast Volusia’s position becomes increasingly valuable.
The space industry expansion shows no signs of slowing. Orlando’s economy keeps diversifying and strengthening. Florida’s population boom continues creating new markets and opportunities. Southeast Volusia sits right at the intersection of all these trends, positioned to benefit as they accelerate.
Companies that recognize and act on these location advantages today will find themselves perfectly positioned for whatever comes next. Whether it’s breakthrough space technologies, advanced manufacturing innovations, or industries we haven’t even imagined yet, Southeast Volusia’s geographic position provides the foundation for sustainable competitive advantage.
The Real Deal on Location
In business, timing matters, but location lasts. Southeast Volusia has locked in a geographic position that provides multiple competitive advantages while maintaining the quality of life and business environment that make long-term success possible.
Our location between Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Beach, and Orlando isn’t just convenient. It’s strategic. Combined with excellent transportation infrastructure, room for growth, and business-friendly policies, Southeast Volusia offers something rare: a location that delivers immediate advantages while positioning businesses for whatever the future brings.
For companies evaluating where to locate, expand, or relocate, Southeast Volusia’s geographic advantages deserve serious consideration. We’ve figured out how to be perfectly positioned for today’s opportunities while staying flexible enough for tomorrow’s possibilities.
The Southeast Volusia Manufacturing & Technology Coalition represents more than just three communities working together. We represent the recognition that when geography, infrastructure, and business-friendly policies align, something special happens. Companies don’t just survive here. They thrive.
Ready to explore how Southeast Volusia’s unbeatable location can benefit your manufacturing or technology business? Contact the Southeast Volusia Manufacturing & Technology Coalition to learn more about opportunities in New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, and Oak Hill – three communities perfectly positioned for your success.