Space Florida Applauds Possible Move To Cape Canaveral

Following on a recent proposal from Space Florida on behalf of the state of Florida, last week Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) and Sen. Mel Martinez (R), along with 18 additional members of the Florida congressional delegation, sent a letter to Orbital Sciences Corporation urging them to locate their facilities for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Project at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

"We applaud the united and bipartisan actions taken this week by the Florida delegation," said Steve Kohler, President, Space Florida. "Our state legislature, also in united and bipartisan actions, recently dedicated significant support and funding to further develop space and aerospace here in Florida."

The letter follows broad support from state, county and local legislators, community leaders and state and local economic development organizations. The unified efforts demonstrate commitment to ensuring that the commercial aerospace industry has the optimal working environment in the state of Florida. For nearly 50 years Florida has supported the space industry and has recently committed to invest significant capital to upgrade existing launch infrastructure to support the commercial aerospace industry at Cape Canaveral.

"Space Florida is deeply committed to advancing the State’s long-standing tradition and position in space and aerospace," added Kohler. "There are tremendous business opportunities here. We have submitted a very attractive proposal to Orbital, and are working aggressively with a host of other companies with the express intent to accommodate all the space interests across the broad spectrum."

The organization says Florida's established aerospace business environment -- coupled with skilled workforce, tax policies favorable to the aerospace industry and a number of respected universities -- make Cape Canaveral the ideal location for Orbital Sciences Corporation to build its partnership with NASA and further establish itself as an important participant in the future of the commercial space industry.

Led by Rep. Wasserman Schultz and Sen. Martinez, the letter was signed by 20 of the 27 members of the Florida congressional delegation.

FMI: www.spaceflorida.gov