President Obama Proposes Additional Financing For Growth And Jobs

The amendment would provide up to $40 million in aid for Florida's
Space Coast and a maximum of about $60 million for other affected
regions. These funds specifically would be made available from the
Constellation Program transition element of the agency's exploration
request. The amendment does not increase the total of the
administration's fiscal year 2011 budget request.

The amendment was presented to support the administration's new course
for human spaceflight, while revitalizing NASA and transitioning to
new opportunities in the space industry and beyond.

"We're very pleased the president has asked for additional support to
help the communities and workers most deeply involved in our space
program," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "NASA's work force
is incredibly talented and dedicated. This $100 million investment in
our people is essential to spurring economic growth and job
creation."

The president established the Task Force on Space Industry Workforce
and Economic Development on May 31. The task force is chaired by
Bolden and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke. It is charged with
developing, in collaboration with local stakeholders, an interagency
action plan to enhance economic development strategies and plans
along the Space Coast and affected aerospace communities in other
states. The task force team will report its recommendations to the
president by Aug. 15.

The administration launched a $40 million, multi-agency initiative in
May for regional economic growth in Florida and to prepare space
industry workers for future opportunities there. Task force
activities will complement local and federal economic and work
force-development efforts.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

Source: NASA