Fellsmere biodiesel farm among local firms cited for growing jobs

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

WASHINGTON—Four local businesses were honored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce this week for increasing jobs through trade, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge.

PetroAlgae in Fellsmere, the ISO Group Inc. of West Melbourne, Aero Industries of Titusville and SpaceX of Cape Canaveral were all awarded the chamber’s Faces of Trade award at a business forum entitled Business Opportunities for Central Florida: Growing in a Global Economy in Cocoa on Monday.

PetroAlgae is working to produce bio-diesel fuel by growing algae instead of using corn or soybeans, which has been cited as reason for higher food prices. It’s using an 18-acre parcel in Fellsmere.

“The future of job growth is in developing new technology. Our nation’s future competitiveness is dependent on new, cutting edge technologies companies like these having a business environment where they can flourish,” Posey said, according to the release. Posey’s district includes most of Indian River County.

“These visionary companies are shining examples of what Central Florida businesses have to offer the world,” Posey said. “I salute their hard working scientists, engineers and technicians who make America a lead contributor in scientific and technological research and development.”

This article is reprinted from http://www.tcpalm.com