Harris Corporation to Create $100 Million High-Tech Engineering Center in Central Florida

Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, today joined with state and regional economic development leaders to announce plans to create a new $100 million high-tech center on its Palm Bay campus that will become the centerpiece for some of the company’s most advanced engineering efforts. The planned six-story, 450,000-square-foot center is part of a broader modernization initiative designed to foster engineering innovation, while retaining existing and attracting new highly skilled engineers to the region.

Harris President and CEO Bill Brown made the announcement at a ceremony at the company’s Melbourne headquarters. He was joined by Florida Secretary of Commerce Gray Swoope, Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos and representatives from U. S. Senator Bill Nelson’s office, Enterprise Florida Inc., the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Brevard County and the City of Palm Bay.

Highlights of the new Harris high-tech center initiative include:

100 added technical and support positions planned
300 contractor/construction positions expected over 3 years
1,200-1,400 employees will be relocated there
Advanced innovation labs and collaborative work spaces
Designed for maximum energy efficiency and sustainability

The company has already completed the initial design and approval phase, with construction scheduled to begin in mid-2012 and be completed in 2014.

“Harris engineers develop some of the world’s most trusted technology solutions, which touch billions of lives every day. This major initiative demonstrates our commitment to provide employees with world-class working environments that help foster innovative solutions for our customers around the globe,” Brown said.

He noted that the company recently completed a new, 573,000 square-foot advanced manufacturing center for employees producing tactical radios, assured communication systems and related products near Rochester, New York.

“This long-term investment also reaffirms Harris’ commitment to maintaining our strong presence here in Central Florida,” Brown added. “We thank all of the state, regional and local organizations that are helping to make this possible.”

The state of Florida, Enterprise Florida, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, and the City of Palm Bay assisted Harris in securing the necessary approvals and available economic development support.

“We are pleased that Florida remains a solid business base for Harris Corporation as demonstrated by its selecting Palm Bay as the site for this innovative new high-tech center,” said Secretary of Commerce Gray Swoope, who serves as president & CEO of Enterprise Florida, the state’s principal economic development organization. “The workforce and business climate in the Central Florida region exemplify the attributes that are strengthening our state’s competitive position for attracting and retaining both high-value jobs and progressive corporations like Harris.”

“Harris’ steadfast commitment to maintaining a presence on the Space Coast will continue to cement our region as a driving force in communications and technology,” said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “Harris’ worldwide innovative solutions along with this new center will help retain a highly skilled and readily able workforce while continuing to mitigate the job loss gap.”

Harris in Florida

Harris is one of the largest public companies headquartered in Florida and the largest technology company based in Central Florida. The company has more than 16,000 employees worldwide, including 6,500 employees in Central Florida. Harris has 20 operations in seven locations throughout Florida, occupying more than 3.5 million square feet of office and manufacturing space. The company also provides some of Florida’s highest average wages and is one of the state’s largest corporate taxpayers.

Florida also serves as the hub of the company’s nearly $1 billion annual research and development initiative. Harris solutions are used extensively by Florida businesses and government agencies, such as the statewide health information exchange for Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration; an advanced, first-responder radio network for Miami-Dade County; the advanced sports arena network for the Orlando Magic; tactical radio systems that support Tampa-based U.S. Central Command; and others.

The company was named one of Florida’s “Best Companies to Work For” and has been named one of the nation’s Top 100 Military Friendly Employers for three consecutive years. The company and its employees have raised more than $1 million for the United Way each year since 2007, donated more than $10 million to help promote innovative technical research at state schools, and last year donated more than 52,000 hours of time to a wide range of community organizations.

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $6 billion of annual revenue and more than 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

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