The 2014 Florida Legislative session has concluded and Governor Rick Scott has approved dedicated funding for space and aerospace projects in Florida, through Space Florida’s 2014-2015 budget.
The new budget breaks down in the following manner:
$10 million for Space Florida general operations and programs (includes $500,000 for an FIT joint initiative tied to Centers of Excellence research)
$5 million for Space Florida financing projects – half of which may be used to assist with commercialization of the former Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at Kennedy Space Center (The latter will only occur if Space Florida and NASA reach a mutual agreement on terms for refurbishment and use of the site. In the absence of such an agreement, this funding may be utilized toward financing further economic expansion activities across the state.)
$1.5 million for space tourism marketing (recurring)
$1 million to foster collaborative aerospace research, development and commercialization of projects through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor of the State of Israel (recurring)
“The 2014-2015 budget reflects the Governor and Legislature’s commitment to ensuring that Florida continues to establish the initiatives and tools needed to grow its manufacturing and aerospace leadership,” said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “This budget will help create next generation jobs with initiatives such as – decreasing the sales tax on commercial leases, raising key corporate tax exemptions and lowering taxes for all citizens – making Florida the desired place for companies to locate and their workforce to thrive.”
Space Florida would like to thank key contributors to the 2015 budget including: President Gaetz and Speaker Weatherford, full appropriations chairs Senator Negron and Representative McKeel, Speaker Designate Steve Crisafulli and incoming Senate President Andy Gardiner.
