The future of the space program in Florida

By: Brittany Benner

Tallahassee, Florida -- Governor Charlie Crist and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottcamp met with U.S. Congressman Tom Feeney on Tuesday morning to explore Florida's Space Frontier.

"I'm very excited about the future as it relates to space, as it relates to the real estate market, and other things," said Gov. Crist.

Crist appointed Kottcamp as the chairman of "Space Florida Board of Directors" earlier this year.

"The bottom line is, we're just trying to make sure that we have opportunities for the entire workforce and really -- to the extent possible -- create more jobs," said Kottcamp.

All three government leaders expressed the importance of Florida's space program on both a state and national level.

"While NASA is on the civilian side, it has huge advantages, the same way that Ford Motor Company didn't know they were preparing to make tanks for WWI and WWII and the Wright brothers prepared us for air superiority," said Rep. Feeney. "This has huge implications, this is not just a jobs program, it's important to America."

Feeney asked Crist to share Florida's ideas for space exploration with presidential candidates as they parade throughout the state during their respective campaigns.