The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) announced this week that Dark Storm Industries LLC will relocate to Titusville and expand its advanced manufacturing facility.
Dark Storm is a federally-licensed firearms manufacturer currently located in New York. The project is expected to create 50 new jobs with an average annual salary of $50,000 and a capital investment of approximately $3.2 million. Products manufactured by the company are shipped across the United States.
“The Space Coast’s diversified manufacturing base is a major reason why we weathered the pandemic and continue to build on our strengths,” said Lynda L. Weatherman, the president and CEO of the EDC, on Tuesday. “The EDC welcomes Dark Storm and their contributions to our economy, and I want to say how proud I am of the team we were able to put together to attract this growth-oriented company to the Space Coast.”
“The combination of economics and a friendlier political environment made the decision to build our new headquarters and manufacturing plant in Florida an easy one,” said Edward Newman, Dark Storm’s co-owner. “We are excited to join a growing number of gun manufacturers on the Space Coast and look forward to our new facility allowing us to both increase our production capacity as well as develop new and exciting products.”
The facility is expected to create an additional 20 indirect jobs and 17 induced jobs. The combined net new annual wages from all jobs are estimated to be more than $4.4 million with a contribution to GDP greater than $9.6 million, and a 10-year economic impact in excess of $95 million. The selected site is located at 2000 Shepard Drive, Titusville, FL 32780.
“I commend Dark Storm Industries on their wise decision to make Florida their new base of operations,” said state Secretary of Commerce Jamal Sowell, the president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. “Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis and his resolve to ensure our state remains open, we are welcoming new companies to our ever-expanding business landscape. We look forward to the positive impact Dark Storm Industries will have on Florida’s economy.”
“Brevard County and Titusville are open for business and home to a wide range of manufacturers in aerospace, defense and a growing firearms sector,” said Brevard County Board of County Commissioners Chairwoman Rita Pritchett. “Attracting a company like Dark Storm brings good-paying jobs to our community and increases our economic diversity.”
“The city of Titusville is extremely excited to welcome Dark Storm to our city. I am confident they will be proud to call the ‘Gateway to Nature and Space’ their hometown,” said Titusville Mayor Dan Diesel. “I am grateful for all the hard work of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, the North Brevard Economic Development Zone and our city staff. We look forward to assisting Dark Storm with their relocation and new manufacturing facility. Again, welcome to Titusville!”
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