The Florida Chamber of Commerce is committed to securing Florida’s future by attracting and retaining high-skill, high-wage jobs for Floridians. Florida is already known as one of the premier locations in the world for space technology, but with the end of the space shuttle era, we must find ways to continue to attract, retain and expand space flight and related private-sector businesses.
The Florida Chamber recognizes the significant role of the space industry to Florida’s economy, and led the effort to encourage economic growth in Florida’s space flight industry during the 2011 Legislative Session by supporting several bills, which were signed into law by Governor Scott – Spaceflight Liability, Space Industry Incentives and Research & Development Incentives.
The launch of the space shuttle Atlantis in July officially marked the end of the Shuttle Program and a new era of space exploration begins with Orion. The Florida Chamber continues to be an advocate of the Orion Program and its ultimate goal to continue the state of Florida and America’s space leadership role.
The Florida Chamber will fight to strengthen Florida’s position as the leader in space flight to retain a skilled aerospace workforce, promote our national defense and encourage investments in technological advancements in both civil and commercial space exploration. The Florida Chamber will support legislation that focuses on providing the space industry with necessary infrastructure improvements to ensure that Florida remains a global leader in space exploration.
A stable and predictable business climate allowing Florida’s free enterprise system to create private-sector jobs will strengthen and diversify Florida’s economy. Reducing burdensome regulations, offering job creation incentives and cultivating a reputation as a business-friendly state are efforts the Florida Chamber has lead to help secure Florida’s future and they are among the leading economic development bills passed during the 2012 Legislative Session.
Spaceport Legislation: Territory (SB 110 HB 59) Facilities (SB 634/HB 97)
Aggressive competition to make Florida the preeminent location for private spaceflight activities that engage in research and development, capitalize on Florida’s bright space industry talent supply and locate spaceflight corporate headquarters in our state will build on Florida’s rich history as a leader in spaceflight activity.
To secure Florida’s future, lawmakers passed a Florida Chamber-backed bill that allows Space Florida to designate Cecil Airport a spaceport territory. Sponsored by Sen. Stephen Wise (R-Jacksonville) and Rep. Lake Ray (R-Jacksonville), this bill allows Cecil Airport to be added to master planning efforts to make infrastructure improvements so that Florida can compete for new spaceflight businesses – specifically horizontal launch companies. Governor Rick Scott signed this bill into law April 13, 2012.
A second bill, sponsored by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-Ft. Myers) and Rep. Ritch Workman (R-Melbourne), allows infrastructure funds to be devoted to spaceflight projects. This will improve the business climate for private space and aerospace companies looking to relocate or expand operations in Florida. The clear definition of spaceport infrastructure is critical to fulfilling the economic development needs of Florida’s space industry and, in turn, creating jobs. Governor Rick Scott signed this bill into law February 16, 2012.
The Florida Chamber thanks its partner, Space Florida, for its work to strengthen Florida’s role as a global leader for spaceflight activity.
Economic Development Incentives (SB 1110/HB 7069)
Efforts to build on two of Florida’s most successful economic development programs, the Qualified Targeted Industry Program and Qualified Defense Contractor and Spaceflight Business Program, did not succeed this session.
The Florida Senate, on the last day of the 2012 Legislative Session, allowed a high-wage job creation bill supported by the Florida Chamber to die. Sponsored by Sen. Thad Altman (R-Melbourne), SB 1110 would have removed the cap on tax refunds for an individual business engaged in either qualified target industry program as long as the employer was successful in creating high-wage jobs. The bill would not have affected the state’s budget. This measure was supported in the Florida House with the passage of companion bill HB 7069.
Space Florida and The Florida Chamber of Commerce honored Senate President and Representative of District 26 (Melbourne) Mike Haridopolos and Speaker of the House and Representative of District 35 (Winter Park) Dean Cannon for prioritizing the Space Industry over this years budgeting process.
Jim Turner’s blog A bill that could help draw more space-related companies to Florida has advanced, with the support of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, to Gov. Rick Scott for final approval. The Senate approved on final reading CS/HB 59, sponsored by Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville, which is designed to allow Space Florida, an independent [...]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Edie Ousley, 850-521-1231 or 850-251-6261 eousley@flchamber.com Tallahassee, FL (March 5, 2012) – A Florida Chamber of Commerce-backed bill strengthening Florida’s aviation and aerospace industries and building on reemployment opportunities for displaced shuttle program workers, fully passed the Florida Legislature today. The spaceport territory measure, HB 59 by Rep. Lake Ray (Jacksonville), [...]
