Space Economic Task Force Seeks Florida Public Comments
WASHINGTON -- The Task Force on Space Industry Workforce and Economic Development has launched an interactive website to encourage public comment on ways to promote economic growth and sustainability in
Florida's Space Coast region as it adapts to changes in America's
space program.
The site offers valuable information about the work the administration
is doing to create jobs in the region by fostering a more supportive
entrepreneurial ecosystem.
"We consider the new interactive website an important tool to
understand public concerns and challenges about the economic growth
and well being of Florida's Space Coast," said Woodrow Whitlow,
NASA's associate administrator for the Mission Support Directorate in
Washington. "This tool and our other outreach efforts will help the
task force prepare recommendations for the president that reflects
the greatest needs and concerns of both the public and the area's
aerospace-related industries."
On May 3, President Obama issued a presidential memorandum
establishing the task force. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and
Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke are co-chairing the effort.
"President Obama is committed to helping Florida's Space Coast adapt
and thrive in the years ahead," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "The work of the
task force adds to this administration's unprecedented level of
transparency, and ensures public trust, participation and confidence.
Our efforts depend on the participation of local stakeholders who
will ultimately devise and implement a bottom-up, regionally driven
strategic plan."
The task force will review all input. Comments can be shared at:
http://www.nasa.gov/
The task force's mission is to develop an interagency strategic action
plan to enhance economic development along Florida's Space Coast and
related areas. Plans will include recommendations to ensure the
region is equipped to adapt to changes in local economies resulting
from developments in America's space program.
Among these recommendations will be a strategic investment plan for
$40 million in new federal funding for the Space Coast region that
the president included in his 2011 budget request. The task force
will present the plan to the president by Aug. 15.
For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
Source: NASA
