Future Aquarium Will Bring Fun, Jobs and Economic Impact
April 17, 2025 – The future Bowen Aquarium will be located in Port Canaveral on Florida’s Space Coast and is supported by the same team that has made the Brevard Zoo such a national success story. Recently, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) released an economic impact analysis on the project. Todd Pokrywa, president of the Viera Company is also on officer on the board of the EDC, sharing his talents in economic development. The following is from a press release from the organization:
Among the key findings, the future Bowen Aquarium and Conservation Center is projected to have an annual total economic impact of more than $128 million in area sales, generating a local labor income of over $43 million and supporting over 1,000 jobs.
Located on a 14-acre site at Port Canaveral, the future Bowen Aquarium will showcase the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding ecosystems. Together, our community is building more than an aquarium—supporters are shaping a shared legacy that celebrates the natural beauty and economic vitality of Florida’s Space Coast.
The EDC partnered with the East Coast Zoological Foundation, the nonprofit organization that opened and runs the Brevard Zoo, to provide support for its second campus the future Bowen Aquarium and Conservation Center. The EDC’s data backed analysis illustrates the unique synergy between economic development and tourism—two pillars that make Florida’s Space Coast an exceptional place to live, work, and visit.
“Beyond job creation and economic impact outlined in the study, the future Bowen Aquarium will elevate our region’s visibility, and enrich our quality of life” said Lynda Weatherman, President & CEO of the EDC of Florida’s Space Coast. “This project highlights Florida’s Space Coast’s unique assets that attract both tourism and residents, thereby strengthening our ability to retain and attract the talent our business community needs.”
“From the outset, we’ve been equipped with data-driven insights to help secure funding and generate broad-based support for a project that reflects the community’s values and vision for the future” said Keith Winsten, Chief Executive Officer, East Coast Zoological Foundation. “We have a track record over quarter-century long showing the ecological, economic and social successes of the Zoo. With this report, we’re able to detail numbers on the success of the future Bowen Aquarium.”
Source: EDC of Florida’s Space Coast
About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit SpaceCoastEDC.org.
About East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF)
Driven by a mission to answer the call, East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF) is focused on educating, engaging and empowering the community to take action for conservation. The 501c(3) nonprofit located in Melbourne, Fla., includes Brevard Zoo and the future Bowen Aquarium and Conservation Center campuses that will work collaboratively to ensure the best results for wildlife. ECZF works directly with Florida species and the community to develop programs and workshops to make a difference locally and around the world. From sea turtle rehabilitations and releases, building living shorelines along the Indian River Lagoon and providing scholarships and grants to the community, the Foundation creates opportunities for guests to connect with nature and make an impact in conservation and education. Founded in 1986, ECZF is governed by a volunteer board of directors and receives no recurring operating funds from any city, county or state government, relying on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations to continue answering the call for wildlife and the environment along Florida’s Space Coast and beyond. To learn more, visit ourlegacycampaign.org