By Frank DiBello, CEO, SpaceFlorida.org  -- On Monday, October 11, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast hosted this year’s 4th Annual Florida Space and Technology Forum at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa.

Considering the dynamic nature of Florida’s space industry today, this year’s event was critical in terms of developing a plan for coordinated legislative action moving forward, to ensure Florida’s near-term success.

The Forum featured three panels tied to Space Coast National Assets, the Aerospace industry and Legislative feedback. It was excellent to see that most of the panel participants were thinking along the same lines in terms of next steps for Florida’s space industry. In my opinion, there were five key State and Federal priorities that came out of the Forum.

Brevard's workforce activities over the last few years are beginning to reach a crescendo as the last Shuttle flights near, and the opportunities through federal and state funding for businesses and individuals across the region and state are growing as well.

STARnet is an Emergency Operations Center of sorts that will aid in making sure all key responders and stakeholders are connected, and where we can ensure access by businesses and individuals to facts, information, announcements and messages from the right source.

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