NASA, Space Coast EDC Announce Strategic Technology Alliance
January 23, 2015 Doug Messier News Leave a comment
Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center
Regional economic development agreement makes
NASA innovations available to local companies
Brevard County, Fla. (January 21, 2015) – NASA and Space Coast EDC are partners in a new strategic alliance designed to bring cutting-edge technology, resources and expertise to solve manufacturing and technology challenges across a wide spectrum of industries. From aerospace to the most basic manufacturing operations, this alliance will provide applied technology solutions to accelerate regional economic growth on the Space Coast. Powered by NASA and EDC, this regional initiative is part of NASA's national pilot program for Regional Economic Development (RED and seeks to provide small and medium-sized manufacturers and technology-based companies with access to NASA's subject matter experts, advanced technologies, and capabilities drawing on NASA resources both at the Kennedy Space Center and across the nation.
The end users and beneficiaries of this agreement are the hundreds of manufacturing and technology companies in Brevard County that have specific technical challenges with new or existing products, technologies or production processes. Through this program, the region's companies will have access to NASA resources to help solve their issues quickly with the end goal of increases in revenues and the creation of jobs and new technologies, business lines and companies.
"NASA is pleased to partner with the EDC on this effort and we look forward to making the linkages between industry and NASA technology, resources and capabilities," stated Robert Cabana, Kennedy Space Center Director.
To make the local connection, the EDC will work with NASA to establish guidelines and target companies that qualify for assistance. The EDC will also provide regional economic development services including asset mapping, supply chain analysis, and technology matching programs to infuse NASA technology into the surrounding business community.
"With a large concentration of manufacturing and technology companies that operate from the Space Coast, these companies could all benefit from more tools and assistance," said Lynda Weatherman, president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast. "We are pleased to say there is now a program in place, just for them, that will expand their reach, increase their access to emerging innovations, and better position them to compete in an industry that is increasingly focused on new technology. It's also yet another example of the EDC creatively leveraging public assets to benefit the business community. This program not only benefits companies through growth, but in turn, the entire community through economic activity."
"The EDC and NASA partnership provides technology enabling resources to local industry," said Dr. Abram Walton, EDC Innovation Council Chair and Associate Professor – College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology. These kinds of resources help build the foundation for an innovation ecosystem on the Space Coast."
One important piece of this agreement includes the appointment of a NASA technology liaison who will be co-located for a year with the EDC in Rockledge. This NASA "technologist in residence" will be responsible for further assessing the NASA technology portfolio and serving as the link to local industry and will also provide access to NASA data and studies, facilitate access to NASA facilities, expertise and personnel.
This pilot program is conducted at the Agency level, and is executed in an agreement between NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) and the EDC through a four-year cooperative agreement. Program officials will re-evaluate this agreement annually.
Details for interested companies are currently being finalized. For more information, please email EHuy@SpaceCoastEDC.org.
About the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida's Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.
About NASA/Kennedy Space Center
On July 29, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Public Law 85-568, creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, also known as NASA. In July 1962, the agency established its Launch Operations Center on Florida's east coast and renamed it in late 1963 to honor the president who put America on the path to the moon. NASA's john F. Kennedy Space Center has helped set the stage for America's adventure in space for more than four decades. The center has served as the departure gate for every American manned mission and hundreds of advanced scientific spacecraft. From the early days of Project Mercury to the space shuttle and International Space Station, from the Hubble Space Telescope to the Mars Exploration Rovers and most recently the Exploration Flight Test of the Orion spacecraft, the center enjoys a rich heritage in its vital role as NASA's processing and launch center. Kennedy is transitioning to become a world-class multi-user launch complex supporting both government and commercial customers. As the nation embarks on a new chapter in space exploration, Kennedy will continue to make history. For more information on NASA's Kennedy Space Center visit: www.NASA.gov/Kennedy.
Florida Space Coast EDC, NASA, NASA KSC
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