Aviation & Aerospace
The aviation and aerospace industry in St. Johns County, Florida, is primed for growth and presents a compelling opportunity for businesses seeking a strategic location in the Southeast. With excellent connectivity via nearby Northeast Florida Regional Airport / St. Augustine Airport and a deep ecosystem of service providers supporting corporate aviation, avionics repair, drone operations, and aerospace maintenance, companies can plug into an existing value chain and established infrastructure.
Major Employers
- Northrop Grumman: 1,100 employees
- Ampherol Corporation: 650 employees
At the same time, the region’s educational system, from the Academy of Aviation & Aerospace at St. Augustine High School through partnerships with Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, is producing a future workforce trained in unmanned systems, maintenance technician certifications, and aeronautical engineering.
From an operational perspective, St. Johns County offers advantages that matter deeply to aerospace and aviation firms. The airport hosts a broad array of aviation enterprises, from full‑service aircraft centers to avionics shops and charter operations, making it a hub of forward‑leaning activity. Proximity to Jacksonville’s global logistics node, skilled military‑ and civilian‑trained talent, and Florida’s broader status as a national leader in aviation and aerospace make St. Johns County a smart anchor point for companies looking to ramp expansion, MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) operations, or drone‑based services.
At the Northeast Florida Regional Airport / St. Augustine Airport, a Florida Jobs Growth grant for infrastructure improvements is fueling the development of a 440,000-square-foot aviation and aerospace complex — expected to generate over 3,500 jobs and $1.3 billion in economic impact.
Choosing St. Johns County means gaining access to an ecosystem where public‑private alignment, workforce readiness, and aviation‑friendly infrastructure converge. Whether a business is focused on corporate aviation services, unmanned aerial systems, avionics manufacturing, or aerospace engineering, the county offers a unique blend of quality of life, competitive cost structure, and strategic location. In effect, businesses in the sector can leverage local assets to lower entry risk, shorten time to market, and scale more confidently, positioning St. Johns County as an ideal base for the next generation of aviation and aerospace ventures.