As the Space Coast prepares for the last shuttle flight on Friday, Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll plans visits later this week to two businesses as part of an effort to highlight the region’s attempt to bring new high tech and manufacturing jobs to blunt the impact of less government space spending.
Carroll will visit SpaceX at the Kennedy Space Center on Thursday. The company is involved in commercialized space flight, seen by many as the primary replacement industry for the jobs that will be lost with the end of the shuttle program.
“SpaceX has 24 Cape Canaveral launches currently scheduled on their flight manifest through 2015,” Carroll said in a statement announcing her planned visit. “I applaud their ambitious work and for choosing the superior launch facilities at the Cape.”
Also on Thursday, Carroll will go to Rivian Automotive in Rockledge, which is working with NASA engineers to develop a 60-mile-per-gallon sports car. The company claims the program could eventually deliver 1,200 jobs to the beleaguered area.
“As America’s space industry begins a new chapter, Gov. Rick Scott and I are working with businesses and other partners who are interested in expanding on the Space Coast,” Carroll said. “Our ready, skilled and loyal workforce is the best in the world. Our launch, R&D and manufacturing facilities are unparalleled for high-tech, emerging space, aerospace and other industries.”
