The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) joined community leaders, including Governor Rick Scott, at the grand opening of Walmart’s new $145 million grocery Distribution Center in Cocoa, FL. The EDC first announced Walmart’s plans in July of 2017, after working with the Canaveral Port Authority, and the City of Cocoa to bring this project to the Space Coast.
The event was a celebration of a multi-year effort, supported by local and state officials and community members, to secure Walmart’s capital investment and quality job opportunities for Brevard residents.
In his welcoming remarks, EDC Chair Phil Hayes stated “The high-tech work that will happen at this state-of-the-art distribution center will have a significant economic contribution locally, while further diversifying our industry base. It’s a pleasure to welcome Walmart, the World’s largest retailer, to the Space Coast. Just like others, we know you will launch to new heights from here.”
Governor Scott said, “The best thing we can do for families in our state is to create an environment where our private-sector can grow and create jobs. Since December 2010, we’ve created nearly 1.6 million jobs in Florida and our unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in over a decade thanks to projects like the one we are celebrating today. It’s great to be here to announce 400 new jobs for families in Cocoa.”
According to Walmart, the Cocoa Distribution Center employs approximately 400 associates, including transportation positions. Wages for full-time hourly associates start at $16.05 per hour and will reach $19.55 per hour over a two-and-a-half-year progression.
To learn more, visit www.Walmart.com.
About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org
Walmart Cocoa Distribution Center By the Numbers
The new Walmart Grocery Distribution Center is the 46th in Walmart’s grocery distribution network and the fourth in Florida.
The 550,000 square feet of space includes:
• The new building can fit eight International Space Stations inside.
• Total building square footage is also greater than eight NFL football fields.
• Once fully operational, will process nearly one million cases of perishable items per week.
• The facility has 16 banana rooms which can hold more than 3.5 million individual bananas at one time.
• Refrigeration capacity is equivalent to approximately 10,500 household refrigerators.
• Amount of refrigeration piping is approximately three miles.