Space Florida Honors Haridopolos, Cannon for Space Legislation

Space Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce honored Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, last week for overseeing budgets that have sent $82.1 million into space-related industries and $51.1 million to Space Florida.

We are extremely thankful to President Haridopolos and Speaker Cannon for all of their hard work and support involving Floridas space industry, Frank DiBello, Space Florida president, stated in a release. They have given our industry the opportunity for consistent growth.

The Florida Chamber believes it is critical that Florida maintain its legacy as a leader in space, David Hart, chamber executive vice president, also stated in the release.

Among the space-related legislation in the 2011 and 2012 session:

$19 million for Launch Complex 36 and 46.

$7.5 million for Exploration Park.

$31 million through FDOT for space infrastructure.

$20 million in space-related tax credits.

Space business incentive tax credits.

Research and development tax credits.

Reorganized Space Florida to assure a business-minded board of directors.

Added additional liability protection for spaceflight companies in the United States.

Added Cecil Spaceport as a spaceport territory allowing key infrastructure investment.

Refined policy definitions to allow for more streamlined partnership with FDOT for key spaceport funds.