ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County mayoral candidate Chris Messina said a proposed U.S. Space Academy could help bring higher-paying jobs and workforce opportunities to Central Florida as leaders push for Florida to be considered for the academy’s location.
President Donald Trump signed an order last month creating a commission to develop plans for the academy, including recommendations on where it should be located. Florida lawmakers are already making a case for the state.
Messina said Orange County should be part of the discussion.
“Something big is happening in American space policy, and Orange County has a real chance to be part of it,” Messina said.
Messina said the academy could bring high-paying jobs and new opportunities for local workers.
“According to Bureau of U.S. Labor Statistics, Greater Orlando is 49th out of 50th in large, the largest metro areas in the country for median wages. We’re at the bottom, and we’ve been there for a long time. That gap is the affordability crisis,” Messina said.
Messina’s opponent, Tiffany Moore Russell, also said Orange County could benefit from the academy and said she supports efforts to bring higher-wage jobs to the community.
“I support the idea of making sure we have high-wage jobs coming to this community,” Russell said.
Russell said local leaders also need to make sure residents are ready for future career opportunities.
“We have to also ensure that our workforce is prepared for the jobs for the future,” Russell said.
Orange County resident Glen Cook said the area has assets that could support a space-focused academy.
“We have access to the Greater Orlando International Airport. We have access to Space University here at the University of Central Florida campus,” Cook said. “Plus, Orange County extends all the way up to the St. Johns River, which is very close to NASA.”
Cook said he wants to see the region grow with future generations in mind.
“I like to see this whole area grow with the mindset that this is for our next generation,” Cook said.