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Florida Seeking 'Astropreneurs'

Posted on: Thursday, 19 January 2006, 21:00 CST

By Jerome R. Stockfisch, Tampa Tribune, Fla.

TALLAHASSEE -- In a new era of private and tourist-based space travel, Florida cannot afford to rest on its reputation as the world's launch center, Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings said Wednesday.

She outlined a $55 million program to keep the nation's space program anchored at Cape Canaveral and lure a new breed of entrepreneur -- Jennings referred to them as "astropreneurs" -- from California and other states.

"We know the space shuttle will be retired, we know that astronauts will return to the moon, we know we will send men and women to Mars and beyond," Jennings said. "They need to be coming from Florida, and they need to be coming back to Florida."

Florida ranks third in the nation in employment in space, aeronautics and aviation with 148,000 jobs providing $7.6 billion in wages in 2004.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in keeping up with the space vision presented by President Bush in 2004, said last fall that it would be retiring the space shuttle in favor of a crew exploration vehicle. Ensuring that program is based at the Kennedy Space Center is at the crux of the state's plan.

It calls for $35 million for refurbishment of assembly and other Kennedy complexes for the vehicle. An additional $3 million in tax relief is being offered to the space and defense industry, and Gov. Jeb Bush wants to increase the size of his closing fund, an economic-development tool he uses to lure businesses to the state and "close the deal."

The plan also targets education, with aerospace entrepreneurs insisting their location decisions are based on the quality of the work force.

"Do the math," Jennings said. "The people who are going to be walking on the moon in 2018 are in our elementary schools today. We need to make sure those children are ready for that kind of challenge."

According to the plan, Florida would establish a Center for Math and Science Education Research and make science, technology, engineering and mathematics a priority; emphasize teacher recruitment to fill critical shortage areas; and establish an Aerospace Collegiate Career Academy.

The state would also plan and develop a commercial spaceport for horizontal launches, the current trend in the space tourism industry.

The state's far-flung space-related agencies would be consolidated into a new organization, Space Florida, to provide leadership, advocacy and coordination.

The recommendations stem from eight months of meetings of the Governor's Commission on the Future of Space and Aeronautics in Florida. Jennings, its chairwoman, was joined on the commission by state lawmakers, economic development officials and industry representatives. The $55 million will be included in Bush's state budget proposal expected Feb. 1 and state Rep.

Leslie Waters, R-Seminole, will steer any accompanying legislation through the spring session.

Waters said neither she nor House Speaker Allan Bense, R-Panama City, view the space industry as a Brevard County or east-coast operation.

"That is why he put me, a west-coast legislator, on the commission," Waters said. "It is a business that impacts all of Florida."

Source: Tampa Tribune

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