The Daytona Beach News-Journal Op-Ed: The Sky’s No Limit for Aerospace Business in Volusia

Street view of the Micaplex

This Daytona Beach News-Journal op-ed posits that Volusia County, the northern gateway to Florida’s Space Coast, is well-positioned to support the space economy. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., describes how the county is home to businesses ranging from the historic Sauer Group, which specializes in steel fabrication, to innovative start-ups at Embry-Riddle’s Research Park.

Butler also highlights a county-commissioned report on how Volusia can attract businesses likely to take advantage of commercial space activity trends, including the growing use of small satellites and launch vehicles; NASA’s reliance on commercial crew and cargo; the use of medium- and heavy-class launch vehicles; and the development of space vehicles that can be refurbished.

“With the proximity, logistics, research, education and lifestyle advantages that Volusia County offers, we can build a compelling case for doing aerospace business here,” Butler writes. The full essay — published in June 2019 — is available to read at The Daytona Beach News-Journal website

Posted In: Aviation | Space