MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) -- Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer says it will open its first manufacturing plant in the United States at Melbourne International Airport.
Gov. Charlie Crist joined the company's president and chief financial officer, Frederico Curado, for the announcement of the $51 million, 149,500 square foot facility Tuesday.
It will be used for final assembly, painting and delivery of the company's Phenom business jet.
Crist, who visited with Curado during a five-day trade mission in Brazil last year, says he hopes the company will strengthen its future presence in Florida. Embraer expects to create 200 jobs at the Melbourne facility by 2011.
Embraer's United States headquarters also is in Florida at Fort Lauderdale.
The company had sales of $176 million in Florida in 2006.