The State of Florida is considering creating a $40 million prize to be awarded to the private company or individual who provides “the most significant advancements within the reusable space vehicle industry” between January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2014.
The prize, which would be funded equally by Florida’s government and private contributions, is based on the Ansari X Prize. The state’s lieutenant governor would serve as the effort’s chairman and appoint a committee to establish the prize’s criteria.
The incentive is part of new legislation now being considered by the Florida House and Senate. The identical bills would allow the State Board of Administration to invest up to 1 percent of net assets from the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund in “economically targeted investments” likely to create high-end, high-tech jobs. These areas include aerospace, aviation, computer technology, renewable energy, and medical and life sciences.
You can read the complete bills here.
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