Some of the confusion probably resulted from the initial Scott budget documents being in different format (had a two year framework and other differences), and Space Florida’s program funding moving from the grants and aid category to economic development category, so when you just looked at the G&A line, all you saw was a $10 m cut.

The additional funding last year was for a mix of business support (mostly new tech activities that will result in job creation) and infrastructure projects at the spaceport to support new commercial users and tenants. This is almost certain to be continued at a generally comparable level, but the funding approval process and color of money may change.

It is likely that a balance will be struck between the legislatures desire for detailed control on where appropriated funds go and the Governor’s desire to have flexibility to allocate incentives based upon agency performance and what opportunities being proposed provide the most bang for the buck. If I had to guess the outcome, it would be some kind of a floor for the sectors (tourism, enterprise, space, sports, film, etc.), and another pot they would compete to place projects in. Who knows, it’s early.

Beyond that, Space Florida is not a primarily marketing agency, but it does have a commercial focus. Main activities are assisting businesses get access to capital (mostly from banks and investors with some state match in some cases) and building facilities needed for new commercial operations or contractor programs (again, mostly using lease financing but some state investment in some cases). Nearly $500 million in facility improvements have been built over 20 years, most of which was done by applying an airport authority development approach to spaceport improvements.

Facility customers have included Lockheed Martin (Titan IV, Atlas V, Athena and Orion), Boeing (Delta IV HIF), SpaceX (mission control offices and some pad equipment), Starfighters F-104 operations at the SLF, the Visitor Center (Apollo Saturn V Center & Shuttle Launch Experience) and ISS Life Sciences (Space Life Sciences Lab) and a few others.

(Yes, I know Atlas V and Delta IV are now ULA, they weren’t at the time the projects were done).

The spaceport and space launch is and has been a largely tax free – the policy decision made in 1989 was to not start imposing taxes as the launch industry (through both EELV and new space systems) moved from the government program to the commercial provider model. Come to Florida and spend your money!

Commercial Crew is Human Space Flight and will be managed by KSC. Purely commercial Human Space Flight (orbital and suborbital) will also be a growth sector that will attract and enable new enterprises. However, while there are bright long-term prospects, there are horrible near-term possibilities, especially if Congress keeps slicing elements from NASA’s budget or goes back to 2008 levels.

Whatever happens with SLS and whenever it happens, we need more launches that cost less. And we need to be working on using the spaceport as a national technology development and commercialization center. We have many of the best engineers in the world.

And the 45th Space Wing will tell you range technology facilities and technology really should be upgraded, harder to make it a priority when you are fighting two (one and a half?) wars.

The state has an important role to play in helping provide pathways for new commercial activities that exploit the federal investment, but this is a national capacity and competitiveness issue that is much broader than the NASA program issues, and deserves a coordinated multi-year, multi-agency reinvestment strategy. State and industry investments can be a part of that.

Space Florida should be happy (and would be lucky) to get $10 million when the dust settles in Tallahassee.

Thanks for the clarification.

Florida Today had a different take in its Feburary 9 editorial:

Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott unveiled a state budget Monday that should make space advocates nervous.

That’s the worst signal to send with the end of the shuttle program at hand and thousands of workers losing their jobs.

Supports said there’s a good chance the legislation will be enacted given support from key legislators and because “business incentives aimed at creating jobs are sure to appeal to Gov. Rick Scott,” according to Sunshine State News.

I wouldn’t count on that. One of the first things Scott did after taking office is propose cutting funding for Space Florida from $31 million to $10 million.

It’s interesting that the news article states the “space industry supporters” asked for $10 million for Space Florida, because that sounds like they’re backing Scott’s proposal to slash Space Florida’s budget by two-thirds.