The editors of the Orlando Sentinel believe that Florida is in danger of losing its “long-standing and lucrative title as the nation’s space capital” and that state leaders need to do more to attract space business.
In an editorial, the newspaper supported efforts by State Senator Bill Posey and Representative Thad Altman to attract commercial space businesses. Their proposals include an investment incentive fund, joint R&D programs involving NASA, DOD and universities, and making tax incentives for space projects that are similar to the ones the defense industry investments already enjoy.
The editors prefer these efforts over a NASA proposal to build a commercial spaceport at the Kennedy Space Center. The idea has generated significant public opposition because one of the proposed locations would be in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
The Florida Space Coast is facing the loss of about 5,000 jobs as the space shuttle program winds down. It also faces increased competition from other states and nations for a piece of the growing commercial launch industry.
