Space Florida Is Under Increased Scrutiny (Updated)

Space Florida’s President tries to build bridges with critics, Orlando Sentinel
“Space Florida President Steve Kohler — under fire from legislators and space boosters for his group’s checkered record of business development — is trying to enlist the help of his critics in the aerospace community to improve the agency’s image and effectiveness. In an email sent last Friday to members of the industry group that is planning an upcoming industry day in Tallahassee, Kohler acknowledged that the agency is facing “a time of focused scrutiny” from what he described as “few in the broader stakeholder community.”

Florida’s space boosters failed to launch, critics say, Orlando Sentinel
“Tallahassee lawmakers created Space Florida in May 2006 to rescue Florida’s languishing aerospace industry from new competition in other countries and elsewhere in the United States. Hopes for the agency were as big as space itself. It promised to bring new commercial-launch opportunities to a state already jittery at the upcoming retirement of the space shuttle and the thousands of job losses that will go with it. Now, nearly three years and $50 million later, the agency is becoming known more for generating controversy and critics than jobs and new business.”
Statement by Space Florida President Steve Kohler
“It is important that Space Florida be given the opportunity to refute inaccuracies outlined in the Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009 Orlando Sentinel story headlined: “Florida’s Space Boosters Failed to Launch, Critics Say.”
Firm’s achievements will ensure state’s status as industry leader, Orlano Sentinel
“It is unfortunate the Orlando Sentinel chose to print a one-sided article about Space Florida on Sunday (“Critics blast Space Florida as $50M waste”). The article failed the readers and the aerospace industry when it neglected to mention any of the achievements made in ensuring Florida remains a vital space leader for the future.”
Space Florida agrees to freeze launch complex spending, Orlando Sentinel
“The chairman of a state Senate committee reviewing Space Florida’s work said Thursday he would push to freeze about $10 million in public financing intended to help build a much-heralded commercial launch complex at Cape Canaveral. State auditors recommended the freeze on spaceport funds for the Launch Complex 36 project in a review of the Brevard-based agency’s performance earlier this year because the agency hasn’t yet finalized a master plan for the $55 million facility.”