Joining Together To Preserve Florida's Role In Nation's Space Program

Key representatives from Florida's space industry plan to visit the state capital in Tallahassee on March 16 to participate in Florida Space Day and share the challenges the industry faces in ensuring Florida remains at the forefront of the nation's space program.

"With the Space Shuttle retirement later this year, it is imperative that government and industry work in partnership to continue to create a cohesive and successful vision for the future of space exploration," said Kevin Hoshstrasser, chairman for Florida Space Day 2011. "Because of the efforts we have put forth in the past, the Florida legislature has passed workforce and investment initiatives that have helped the aerospace community to move forward."

With over 400 statewide aerospace companies employing 31,000 workers, current aerospace issues impact all Floridians.  NASA alone has contractors in 47 of the 67 counties and there are more than 1,000 subcontractors throughout the state. As the Space Shuttle program completes its final flight this year, the job losses could reach 21,000 direct and indirect jobs losses that represent a highly skilled workforce across Florida.

During Space Day Industry leaders and representatives will conduct legislative visits with House and Senate Representatives to bring collaborative messages on space and aerospace initiatives and discuss pending legislation with policymakers.

"The time is now to preserve Florida's role in our nation's space program," said Hoshstrasser. "It imperative that Florida's legislative and business community work in a unified fashion to push for a commitment in Washington to maintain America's prominence in space exploration; attract new business by offering incentives to mitigate job loss creating a 21st century aerospace community; and position Florida to capture innovative national and international space-related business to stimulate the economy."

Florida's space industry has set aside a day to meet with the state's legislature in each of the past 15 years.

FMI: www.floridaspaceday.com