SIMCOM International, Inc. is expanding and building a new worldwide headquarters in Orlando. The company, which currently operates two learning centers in Orlando, is investing $109 million in a new headquarters and training facility and plans to create more than 50 new high wage jobs over the next two years. The new location will house a state-of-the-art training center including the addition of five new CAE full-flight simulators.
SIMCOM is moving its headquarters from its previous location on Lee Vista Road to Lake Nona. The proximity to the downtown district of the master-planned Lake Nona community will give its customers access to high quality lodging, leisure, dining, and entertainment options as they complete their training.
“SIMCOM is proud to call Orlando home,” said Eric Hinson, President and CEO of SIMCOM International. “This is an exciting new chapter for our company and the new downtown Lake Nona district is the perfect location for our continued growth.”
“We congratulate SIMCOM on their expansion,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Their new headquarters and training facility in Orlando is a great addition to Florida’s ever growing aviation industry. We wish them all the success.”
SIMCOM serves customers from over 80 countries worldwide, providing pilot and maintenance training across a variety of general aviation, business and commercial aircraft types. The company has long standing relationships with many of the world’s aircraft manufacturers, aircraft owners, commercial airlines and business aircraft operators.
“Space Florida congratulates SIMCOM on its headquarter expansion in Central Florida,” said Frank DiBello, President and CEO of Space Florida. “SIMCOM’s announcement demonstrates Florida’s robust aviation and aerospace economy, and recognizes Central Florida’s strong technology and simulation ecosystem. This project would not have been possible without our collaboration with Orlando Economic Partnership. We look forward to the success of SIMCOM and what its expansion brings to Florida.”
Central Florida has a long history in aviation and aerospace, from the world’s first commercial aircraft flight to the present day launches into space at Cape Canaveral. The region serves as a major center for flight training due to its year-round flying weather, hyper-connected air access and robust aviation and aerospace workforce. These assets have helped Orlando become the world’s epicenter for simulation and training.
“Central Florida is the ideal place for us to continue our expansion,” said Hinson. “We are able to draw on the large aviation community that already exists here in Florida, including pilots, flight instructors and other aviation and training professionals.”
Florida continues to advance aviation with research and training at leading aeronautical universities and growth in numerous sectors of the aviation industry.
“Florida’s pro-business environment is about expanding broad-based opportunity,” said Jamal Sowell, President & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. “Enterprise Florida looks forward to SIMCOM’s continued growth in Central Florida.”
“One of my goals for Orange County is the continued growth of our tech-based business sector and SIMCOM is a wonderful addition to our thriving modeling, simulation and technology community,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “We are glad that SIMCOM found its new home in Lake Nona.”
“SIMCOM’s continued investment in Orlando’s Lake Nona is a testament to our city’s growing reputation as a thriving epicenter for the modeling and simulation and the aviation industries,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “SIMCOM’s new training center will bring people from all over the globe to Orlando for pilot and aircraft maintenance training, creating an additional impact on our community’s economy and in our local businesses, and we know while these guests are here, they will experience the world-class hospitality for which Orlando is known.”
The Orlando Economic Partnership worked together with the State of Florida, Space Florida, Enterprise Florida, the City of Orlando and Orange County to help the company build its business case for expanding in Orlando. The company also considered Arizona and Texas as potential locations for its new headquarters facility.
“We often hear from companies that the collaboration here between industry, government and community organizations sets us apart from other regions, and this was certainly the case for SIMCOM’s Orlando expansion,” said Tim Giuliani, Orlando Economic Partnership president and CEO. “Thank you to all of our great partners for making the decision to stay and grow here easier for tech companies like SIMCOM.”