State and area leaders are hoping to persuade a private space company to set up shop in Central Florida, creating hundreds of jobs.
Blue Origin is considering Florida’s Space Coast to both launch and build rockets.
Just like SpaceX, Blue Origin is looking to make it affordable for humans to launch to space.
News 13 has learned the company is looking at Space Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for its Orbital program.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson confirms that he’s had discussions with Blue Origin’s creator, Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, about locating on the Space Coast.
For its part, Blue Origin will only confirm that Florida is one of the states they are considering for an orbital launch site.
News 13 has also learned the private space company wants to establish a rocket manufacturing facility, which could create 200 to 300 jobs.
The two Florida locations they are considering are Oak Hill in Volusia County and Exploration Park, just outside the gated Kennedy Space Center property.
If Blue Origin were to choose Florida, it could result in a large supply chain and mean even more jobs.
The only concern about Florida is that Blue Origin would have to deal with more government oversight, specifically from the U.S. Air Force and NASA.
The company is considering other states and hasn’t disclosed when they will make a decision.