A Mission With Urgency
Group to Lobby for Help with Space Industry Transition

GREENBELT, MD, February 20, 2008

BY PATRICK PETERSON
FLORIDA TODAY

A group representing the space industry will launch a mission to Tallahassee on March 6, and their success is vitally important this year.

Aerospace is the state's third largest industry behind tourism and agriculture, but competition is on the horizon, and a shrinking space budget threatens the statewide industry. This year's Space Day message will be carried to the Legislature with urgency.

"During this transition period from shuttle to the next phase of human space flight, it's imperative that we join forces to address work force transition and infrastructure issues," said 2008 Space Day Chairman Pedro Medelius.

Medelius, associate program manager with ASRC Aerospace, has organized more than 100 meetings with state lawmakers. The group also plans to meet with the governor and lieutenant governor.

Aerospace industries exist in 46 of the state's 67 counties. Some $44 billion is distributed across Florida.

Florida is the United States' leading launch site, with nearly 3,400 launches since the 1950s. However, it might not enjoy that leading role forever.

"There's very active competition from other states," Medelius said. "We have so many other states trying to take our employees."

A loss of 300 employees represents $15 million in lost wages, plus $5 or $6 million in health benefits, he said.

California, Texas, Colorado and New Mexico have space companies that would like a greater share of the market, said Space Gateway Support and JBOSC spokesman Sam Gutierrez.

"The domestic competition is heating up," Gutierrez said. "As you can see, the stakes are very high in Florida."

Some 60 team members showed up last year and the number is expected to be 50 percent higher. Each company usually brings four or five representatives.

The goal is to exceed last year's 130 legislative visits, Medelius said. Recommendations will include a shuttle work force transition program and continued investment in university-based aerospace research and applied technology programs.

About a dozen companies participated last year. Medelius has increased that to 19, including three agencies -- NASA, Space Florida and the Air Force. The companies have shared the $20,000 cost for displays, posters and brochures. The companies also support their employees.

The representatives will be divided into 10 to 12 different groups and assigned to visit 10 to 15 legislators to whom they hope to deliver a 10- to 15-minute message.

"Often they keep us longer than that," Medelius said. "They historically have been very supportive and we want that support to continue."

Contact: Angela Brandt at 301-837-5359 angela.brandt@asrcfederal.com