Boeing Utilization of KSC Facilities Enabled through Space Florida, Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL (April 30, 2012) – Today, Space Florida was awarded the Economic Development Leadership Award from CoreNet Global, the world’s leading association for corporate real estate and workplace professionals, service providers and economic developers. The award submission by Space Florida detailed the utilization of Kennedy Space Center (KSC) facilities by The Boeing Company for manufacture and test of its Crew Space Transportation (CST-100) spacecraft.
The Economic Development Leadership Award recognizes leadership, best practices and innovations in economic development representing national, state, regional and local interests. Space Florida entered the subcategory of “Major Deals and Projects,” which includes recruitment of major companies like The Boeing Company, resulting in new capital investments and/or jobs, expansion of existing companies and demonstrated creativity in structuring win-win transactions/deals.
The entry for this award was made possible by the agreement Boeing made with Space Florida to use Kennedy Space Center’s Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 (OPF-3) to manufacture, assemble, and test the company’s CST-100 spacecraft, which ultimately will provide NASA with reliable, safe, and affordable transportation to the International Space Station and other destinations in Low Earth Orbit, and create up to 550 local jobs. Space Florida, along with Enterprise Florida and the EDC of Florida’s Space Coast, assisted in bringing a commercial division of Boeing to Kennedy Space Center through aggressive business incentives, a skilled local workforce, and the unique facilities existing at KSC.
Annually, CoreNet Global holds a Global Awards Program consisting of three categories: the Sustainable Leadership Award for Design and Development, the Economic Development Leadership Award, and the Industry Excellence Award. Winners are announced and recognized at the Spring North American Summit.
“Congratulations to Space Florida for receiving recognition on their support of the economic development efforts at Kennedy Space Center,” said John Mulholland, vice president and general manager of Commercial Programs for Boeing Space Exploration. “Our partnership to use the Center’s Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 and highly skilled local workforce will ensure NASA receives the optimal commercial crew program solution, while simultaneously driving future growth to the area after the space shuttle.”
“We are so pleased that CoreNet recognized what a pathfinder deal this was with Boeing,” said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “We are honored to accept the Economic Development Leadership Award at the Spring Summit today in conjunction with Enterprise Florida.”
“I congratulate The Boeing Company and all our partners in Project Syros on earning this prestigious award. It’s a symbol of the strong alliance between Florida’s private and public sectors, and our success in growing the state’s economy through aviation and aerospace opportunities,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce Gray Swoope, who serves as president & CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc., the State’s lead economic development organization.
“The Boeing Company’s decision to develop and manufacture the CST-100 on the Space Coast will have a tremendous impact not only on the local economy, but also the future of America’s commercial space program,” said Lynda Weatherman, president & CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “Success in a project of this magnitude requires a strong collaboration, and we are pleased that CoreNet recognizes the significance of this project as well as the intensive effort among the project partners.”
This project positions the State of Florida for future growth and a leadership role in NASA’s next-generation human space exploration initiatives. The possibility of creating up to 550 local jobs by December 2015, it also is a key factor in ensuring Florida’s space-related economy continues to thrive after the shuttle’s retirement.
