As it prepares for next week’s Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, the Aerospace Center for Excellence announces the launch of ELEVATE, a business incubator on its Lakeland Linder Airport campus aimed at reviving aerospace and logistics companies.

The organization, ACE for short, said it will “accelerate the next generation of aerospace professionals” with the creation of the ELEVATE Aerospace & Logistics Business Incubator at its Youth Aerospace Education Complex. of 14 buildings and 22 acres on the Sun ‘n Fun Expo Campus adjacent to the Florida Air Museum at the airport.

ACE, the nonprofit parent organization of the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace exhibit, said in a press release that the new ELEVATE “will help budding entrepreneurs as well as established businesses looking to fully launch their big idea. “.

ELEVATE “seeks to accelerate business growth and develop successful individuals, businesses and concepts in Central Florida, as well as around the world,” ACE said. “The main goal of ELEVATE is to take ideas from promise to product.”

ELEVATE’s offices, currently under construction and scheduled to open in June, will be located within ACE’s Aerospace Youth Education Complex, which promotes careers in aviation through outreach and year-round coordination with other educational institutions, the Florida Air Museum and the Lakeland Aero Club.

ACE chief marketing officer Melissa Goodman said Thursday that ACE will pay the airport $50,000 a year for office space. Next week, the Polk County Commission is expected to approve a one-time grant of $600,000 to be shared between ELEVATE and another business incubator in Lake Wales, and the Lakeland City Commission is expected to approve the allocation of $100,000 each soon. next three years for ELEVATE, she says.

The ELEVATE website lists the incubator’s address as 3985 Laird Blvd.

ACE awards scholarships through the Naples-based James C. Ray Foundation for students to earn their private pilot licenses. Students are enrolled in the Polk State College Aerospace Program, Southeastern University’s Aviation Program, and Central Florida Aerospace Academy, a 9th-12th grade academy operated by the Polk County School District. More than 300 students are currently enrolled, according to ACE.

ELEVATE will offer memberships ranging from virtual engagement with mentors and remote events to private office spaces for businesses ready to take the next step. Open coworking and dedicated office subscriptions are also available.

ACE said it “recognizes the importance and value of a wide range of member profiles and, as always, offers membership discounts and scholarship opportunities to students enrolled in higher education as well as Members can take advantage of a dedicated “think tank” with floor-to-ceiling dry-erase walls, a conference room with video, high-speed internet access, and (of course) coffee, soda and free snacks.

“ELEVATE is a world-class think tank purpose-built to foster creativity and innovation in the transportation industry, particularly in aerospace and logistics,” said ACE’s Chairman of the Board. , Rick Garcia. “Combined with the incredible talent and experience of the vast network of mentors available through the Aerospace Center of Excellence, we have built a community to foster and grow business ideas.”

Polk State College was the first to announce its partnership with ACE and ELEVATE. It provides interns and staff support, “as well as learning opportunities for members to earn college credits in entrepreneurship and supply chain management,” ACE said.

“The ELEVATE Aerospace & Logistics Incubator is a powerful extension of the thriving aerospace community in Polk County, Florida that will accelerate the future of the industry and our region,” said Polk State College President Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti. “With the ability for ELEVATE members to articulate college credits at Polk State, participants will be able to build on both their education and entrepreneurial endeavors, furthering their success.”

Lakeland Linder International Airport’s regional economic impact has grown from $167 million in 2010 to over $1 billion today, with nearly 85 businesses and organizations – including more than 60 tenants leasing space at the city-owned airport – generating more than 4,000 jobs.

Since Amazon built its $100 million air cargo facility at Lakeland Linder in 2020, adding more than 800 workers, the airport has been a nexus of regional growth with a growing footprint of the enhanced logistics industry. by its proximity to central Florida with Tampa and Orlando along I-4. .

Currently, more than 60 different companies lease more than 100 city spaces at the airport, including aircraft avionics shops, flight schools, aircraft painting and refurbishing facilities, and airframe and powerplant maintenance shops capable of handling from single engine Cessna to 737 cargo jets.