EXPLORATION PARK, Fla.—June 12, 2024—Through a joint letter to members of Congress, Space Florida, the state’s aerospace finance and development authority and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with eleven other aerospace organizations across the nation, expressed strong support for the Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act of 2024 (H.R. 7470 and S. 3823). The legislation would make spaceport facility bonds tax-exempt, in line with most airports and seaports, solidifying America’s position as the global leader in the space economy.
This important legislation aims to significantly expand private sector investment in America’s spaceports, enhancing national security and fostering growth in space-based technologies that benefit the economy. Tax-exempt bonds have been leveraged for decades to finance essential community infrastructure projects such as airports, seaports and railways through private investment.
“Increasing private sector investment is essential for America to continue outpacing our global competitors,” said Rob Long, President and CEO of Space Florida. “This legislation is a strategic move that underscores the importance of America’s space industry and allows us to unlock the power of financial markets to accelerate space infrastructure development and bolster the economy.”
“This legislation is needed so private capital can be tapped to help fund the expansion and modernization of our nation’s spaceports,” said John Neal, Executive Director, Space Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “In the true spirit of public-private partnerships, it would compound the public’s investment, create new opportunities for Americans, and is necessary for the United States to compete in the new space race.
Space Florida thanks Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Rep. Neal Dunn and Rep. Salud Carbajal for their bipartisan efforts in crafting this essential legislation. Along with its partner organizations, Space Florida is committed to working closely with Congress to advance this initiative, ensuring that Florida continues to lead in the rapidly evolving space industry.
###
Media Contact:
Alayna Curry, APR
acurry@spaceflorida.gov
About Space Florida
Space Florida is where leading aerospace companies get everything they need to see their new ideas take off. As the state’s aerospace finance and development authority, Space Florida brings a mix of unrivaled experience, unmatched financial tools, and unbeatable location to the table by providing critical business financing opportunities for the aerospace industry, managing infrastructure investment in the state’s spaceport system, and facilitating research and development, workforce, education, and investment programs.
