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