From March 13, 2008

Space

Today, the House Economic Development Committee passed HB 1055 Relating to Space Industry by Representative Thad Altman (R-Melbourne).  HB 1055, better known as the Space Technology and Research Diversification Initiative (STRDI), is a priority for Associated Industries of Florida this session.

This legislation will create the STRDI in the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development to be a university-led program to develop high-impact space research, and applied technology programs that can best advance the state’s interest in a very competitive and diverse space industry. 

As Representative Altman highlighted during his presentation, many of the recent space shuttle flights have included significant scientific research projects from 20 universities around the country.  Not one university from Florida was represented in that research and Florida lags behind 40 other states in garnering federal research dollar support for space research and applied technology projects.

Chairman Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange) and committee member Representative Darren Soto (D-Orlando) best summarized why Associated Industries of Florida has made this legislation and the entire Space Florida agenda a priority for the 2008 legislative session: supporting the expansion and commercialization of the space industry is not just about the 6000 local jobs that would be lost by 2010 at the close of the shuttle program, it is about a significant commitment to economic development of an industry born in our state that has the huge potential to provide high-wage, high-skill jobs and new businesses to every county in Florida.

HB 1055 will now be considered by the House Economic Expansion & Infrastructure Council.

AIF supports full funding of Space Florida and other space-related programs. Additionally, AIF supports proposals such as the Commercial Space Launch Act and the Space & Aerospace Development Infrastructure Enhancement (SADIE) Act.  Investing in space leads to more jobs, a high-skilled workforce, and great economic activity.