Web Site To Gather Ideas About Growth And Sustainability On Florida's Space Coast

The Task Force on Space Industry Workforce and Economic Development has launched an interactive website to encourage public comment on ways to promote economic growth and sustainability in Florida's Space Coast region as it adapts to changes in America's space program.

The site offers information some of the work being done to create jobs in the region by fostering a more supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

"We consider the new interactive website an important tool to understand public concerns and challenges about the economic growth and well being of Florida's Space Coast," said Woodrow Whitlow, NASA's associate administrator for the Mission Support Directorate in Washington. "This tool and our other outreach efforts will help the task force prepare recommendations for the president that reflects the greatest needs and concerns of both the public and the area's aerospace-related industries."

On May 3, President Obama issued a presidential memorandum establishing the task force. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (above) and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke are co-chairing the effort.

"President Obama is committed to helping Florida's Space Coast adapt and thrive in the years ahead," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "The work of the task force adds to this administration's unprecedented level of transparency, and ensures public trust, participation and confidence. Our efforts depend on the participation of local stakeholders who will ultimately devise and implement a bottom-up, regionally driven strategic plan."

FMI: www.nasa.gov/spacecoasttaskforce