In tribute to the space industry, the Florida Department of Transportation has designated Space Commerce Way as State Road 321, a designation that fits wonderfully with the region’s past, present, and future. On NASA property, Space Commerce Way connects North Kennedy Parkway SR 3 to NASA Parkway SR 405. Space Commerce Way’s expansion to a four lane highway relieves congestion, provides additional safety for Space Coast workers, and allows for expansion of the commercial space industry in and around Space Florida’s Exploration Park at Kennedy Space Center.
The designation is also a tribute to Space Florida, Inc. and its vision of enhancing the space industry in Florida in general and at the Kennedy Space Center in specific. Under Frank DiBello’s leadership, Space Florida created a vision and a strategic plan that included the creation of Exploration Park as a home for the commercial space industry. Now under Rob Long’s leadership and the hard work and focus of Space Florida’s staff, that vision continues.
What They’re Saying
During my economic development career, I was able to evaluate many economic development organizations across the United States. Over the years, Space Florida has developed the team, the tools, the leadership, and the strategic vision that in my opinion makes it the top economic development organization in the nation. I’m sure our neighbors such as Blue Origin, Airbus, Redwire and others in and around Exploration Park feel the same way.
Al Wenstrand, Joi Scientific’s vice president And past Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development with economic development experience in Nebraska, Florida, and Colorado, remarked,