On November 1st, 2023, Dassault Falcon Jet, the US subsidiary of the French group Dassault Aviation, and its CEO Thierry Betbeze held a ceremony to announce the construction of their new large-scale facility at Melbourne-Orlando International Airport (KMLB). The 175,000 sq. ft. building will be dedicated to maintenance, repairs, and overhaul of their Falcon Jets for the East Coast.
The French American Business Council of Orlando (FABCO) was invited to the ceremony and was represented by its president Isabelle Tran and vice-president Olivier Monard. Speaking on the occasion, Isabelle Tran told WFTV: "Central Florida's political and tax environment is pro-business, which explains why we chose Melbourne for this project".
This $115 million French investment in Florida, the largest ever made by Dassault Aviation on American soil, testifies to the attractiveness of the Space Coast and the strong economic and cultural ties between Central Florida and French investors. The project will be completed by early 2025 and will create 400 direct and 80 indirect jobs in the heart of the Space Coast, renowned for its skilled workforce.