Florida Space Industry Sets March 16, 2011
Here’s an announcement from Florida Space Day 2011:
Florida Space Industry Sets March 16, 2011 for Florida Space Day in Tallahassee Joining Together to Preserve Florida’s Role in our Nation’s Space Program
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Jan. 31, 2011 – For more than 15 years, key representatives from Florida’s space industry will visit Tallahassee March 16, 2011 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 Space Day 2011 sponsors are Abacus Technology Corporation, ASRC Aerospace Corporation, Astrotech Space Operations, ATK Space Systems, The Boeing Company, Brevard Workforce, Delaware North, Dynamac Corporation, URS, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, InDyne, Inc., ITT Corporation, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, Millennium Engineering and Integration, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., QinetiQ North America, SAIC, Sierra Lobo, Space Florida, Space Gateway Support, Space Coast Launch Services, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and United Space Alliance
To learn more about Florida Space Day To learn more about Florida Space Day 2011, visit www.floridaspaceday.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloridaSpaceDay and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FLSpaceDay2011
Florida Space Day is a milestone event that presents an opportunity to educate and bring top of mind awareness to Florida legislators on the significance of the aerospace industry and its impact on Florida’s economy.