case\u00a0for the state.<\/a><\/p>\nMessina said Orange County should be part of the discussion.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething big is happening in American space policy, and Orange County has a real chance to be part of it,\u201d Messina said.<\/p>\n
Messina said the academy could bring high-paying jobs and new opportunities for local workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccording 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI support the idea of making sure we have high-wage jobs coming to this community,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n
Russell said local leaders also need to make sure residents are ready for future career opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to also ensure that our workforce is prepared for the jobs for the future,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n
Orange County resident Glen Cook said the area has assets that could support a space-focused academy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.”<\/p>\n
Cook said he wants to see the region grow with future generations in mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to see this whole area grow with the mindset that this is for our next generation,\u201d Cook said.<\/p>\n
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