There is a premier location where an aerospace engineer, biotechnology researcher or space-related business executive could look out the window and see a space shuttle launch - the new International Space Research Park at Kennedy Space Center.

The International Space Research Park is poised to become the epicenter for aerospace and biotechnology research and operations. It will serve not only as a gateway to space research but also as a home for the genesis of cutting-edge technologies that will improve life on earth.

The 320-acre park, set on the space center and the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, is located minutes from major highways, airports, rail access and a deepwater seaport.

Thanks to a partnership between NASA and the state of Florida the research and technology park has the requisite permitting and is now ready for private investment. Commercial real estate developers will find a highly advantageous site for the creation of single tenant and multi-tenant research, commercial and office space.

With the national space exploration vision set forth, a sweeping push to send astronauts to the moon and then Mars, the window of opportunity for commercial, academic and government operations is open to those who want to be at the threshold of the next space frontier. So take a close look at what the International Space Research Park has to offer.

A prestigious location

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is one of the most impressive aerospace and life sciences sites in the world. As the launching point for America’s human space flight program for over 50 years, the eyes of the nation turn toward KSC again and again. Its neighbor, the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, with its frequent military and commercial rocket launches, adds to the park site’s cache.

Because the International Space Research Park will offer world-class research, commercial and office facilities, it will easily emerge a superstar not only within aerospace and life sciences circles, but also with the public in general. Several major aerospace and life sciences contractors are in negotiations to consolidate or expand operations at the much-anticipated park.

Among its key attributes the International Space Research Park offers:

·        Competitive pricing

·        Campus-style layout

·        Access to launch facilities

·        World-class researchers

·        Skilled workforce

·        State and local tax incentives

·        Streamlined permitting

Space Life Sciences Lab enhances park

The $26 million Space Life Sciences Lab, which is adjacent to the International Space Research Park site, was created through a partnership between NASA and the state of Florida. The world-class lab, which features facilities for the development and processing of International Space Station experiments and ground-based research, is a magnet for the fundamental and applied research areas of biotechnology, microgravity, space agriculture, biomedicine, conservation biology and microbial ecology.  Laboratories and capabilities already operational within the 100,000-square-foot facility currently are phytoron research, earth systems modeling, environmental microbiology, analytical chemistry, post flight science support, flight experiment development, biomolecular microbial ecology research and aseptic operations.

Ground floor opportunity
            By coming in on the ground floor of the International Space Research Park development, commercial, business and government operations can customize their facilities to suit current and future needs. Open space in the new International Space Research Park offers organizations the opportunity to consolidate their operations as well as to expand or relocate. Already available is administrative and laboratory space in the newly constructed Space Life Sciences Lab adjacent to the International Space Research Park.

           
Top-notch aerospace and biotechnology researchers
Kennedy Space Center has attracted some of the country’s most respected scientists. Proximity to such talent allows for synergies for commercial and academic concerns. Already partnerships have been formed to seek out answers for long duration space flight that can be applied on earth in biotechnology, agriculture and microbial ecology.

            Several universities are represented at the Space Life Sciences Lab and the University of Florida has a major presence through its NASA-sponsored Space Agriculture and Biotechnology Research and Education Center.

             The proximity of other world-class research organizations in Central Florida, such as the Florida Solar Research Center in Cocoa, and the National Center for Simulation and the University of Central Florida Institute for Simulation in Orlando, allows for additional synergies.

Availability of a highly skilled technical workforce
            Because Kennedy Space Center is part of a high-tech corridor stretching across Florida from Orlando to Tampa, a large number of highly skilled technical workers are available.

The University of Central Florida and Florida Institute of Technology produce talented graduates. Those nearby universities also continue to augment the education of experienced science, engineering and business professionals in the area. Brevard Community College and its SpaceTec program, a National Science Foundation Center of Excellence, ensure an abundance of technicians with the latest and greatest job skills.

            Other sources of continuing workforce training are the Florida Space Research Institute, which provides the Web-based Advanced Learning Environment for space program technicians, and Workforce Florida Inc., the Florida Consortium for Biotechnology Workforce Development and the Brevard Workforce Development Board.

Environmental Impact Study completed and approved
            An Environmental Impact Statement has been issued by NASA enabling commercial development to move full speed ahead. The agency determined that as a “center of R&D, the ISRP would bring together a dynamic mix of industry, academia, and government researchers to focus their combined strengths in areas of R&D critical to the success of NASA and its partners…while not adversely affecting the pristine surrounding environment.”

Expedited permissions through the Park's Municipal Service Approach
            NASA and the state of Florida are working to provide a streamlined and efficient approach to obtaining municipal and government services through cooperative agreements.  The International Space Research Park administration will facilitate all permitting processes for developers and tenants and will provide them with the most affordable and attractive options for services.  It is the International Space Research Park administration’s commitment to provide developers and tenants with faster response and greater flexibility in business development and operation.

 
Expert facilitation offered by the Florida Space Authority
The Florida Space Authority is chartered by the state of Florida to foster space-related economic development. Representatives are available to work with commercial, academic and government representatives to streamline the process of establishing a presence at the International Space Research Park. The Authority, which facilitated the development of the Space Life Sciences Lab, serves as an advocate, sounding board and business development resource.

Attractive state and local incentives
            Florida is a pro-spaceflight operations and research and development state. A capital investment tax credit is available to capital-intensive industries. Leases of property used for space flight business are tax-exempt in Florida. Tax exemptions also cover machinery and equipment for space industry manufacturing and research and development. Companies that bring significant numbers of space-related jobs to the state receive tax refunds of up to $5,000 per job. State grant and bond programs are offered to qualifying operations. Local tax abatement and incentive programs are also available.

Advantages os a Foreign Trade Zone
            For organizations wishing to benefit from becoming part of a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), the designation is planned for the International Space Research Park. Qualifying companies can save money by avoiding or reducing duties when they import, assemble, manufacture, test, repair, repackage, distribute and export from a single location in the zone. FTZ 136 is the world’s first quadra-modal zone, offering sea, land, air and space transport. 

 
Outstanding multimodal transportation capabilities
            The International Space Research Park is located on the newly constructed Space Commerce Way, which feeds both into the NASA Parkway and State Road 3 with access to Interstate 95, the State Road 528 and other major highways.

Nearby Port Canaveral provides a secure deepwater port of entry and the Florida East Coast Railway provides rail transportation. Three airports are in close proximity to the park: Orlando International Airport, Melbourne International Airport and Space Coast Regional Airport.

Incomparable quality of life
            While Kennedy Space Center is a mecca for the aerospace and life sciences industries, it is set on the pristine Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to hundreds of waterfowl, dolphins, manatee and 11 endangered species.

            The International Space Research Park and the surrounding Brevard County area known as Florida’s Space Coast offer a temperate year round climate, little traffic, top-notch schools, some of the nation’s best home values and excellent recreation, dining and entertainment venues.

            The Space Coast’s picturesque Atlantic Ocean beaches are graced by majestic space shuttle and rocket launch pads. The area is less than an hour away from Orlando, and major metropolitan areas such as Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami are within a few hours of driving.

Limited space available
            The International Space Research Park is set to skyrocket to the forefront of the world’s renowned research and technology centers in part because of its direct access to space launch, aerospace and biotechnology operations.

            By providing a competitive pricing structure, the International Space Research Park will be the premier site for all your space-related research and office needs. Due to the limited space available in the International Space Research Park now is the time to make a move. Don’t miss this unique window of opportunity. To reserve your space with a view or for additional information contact the Florida Space Authority today.