IDEA committee holds public hearing to establish the Maine Space Corporation

This week, the Legislature’s Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement, and Business (IDEA) committee held a public hearing on LD 1923, An Act To Establish the Maine Space Corporation. This bill was introduced by Sen. Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland) and had a list of bipartisan cosponsors. This bill establishes the Maine Space Corporation to leverage the state's geographic, rocketry, manufacturing, and higher education assets and capabilities to establish the state as a national and international industry destination and an authority in launching small launch vehicles and small satellites into polar orbit.

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce was pleased to testify in support of LD 1923. The Maine State Chamber, along with several other groups such as the University of Maine System, the Roux Institute, the Maine Community College System, AGC Maine, Maine Space Grant Consortium, Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, Loring Development Authority, Texas Instruments, and several others all spoke in support. There was no public comment in opposition to LD 1923.
 
The Maine State Chamber is supportive of establishing the Maine Spaceport Corporation because it will generate new investment into Maine, which is good for economic development and job creation. It will grow a new and innovative industry in Maine, which will help attract young people to Maine and keep our youth in state.
 
Maine is well positioned to be a leader in aerospace technology in the global market. There are four key advantages that put us in this position. First, our eastern and northern geographic location. Second, our well-established manufacturing sector. Third, the potential workforce. Our higher education systems at the University of Maine, Maine Community College System, and the newly established Roux Institute are well positioned to develop a workforce around STEM education. Lastly, Maine also has the existing infrastructure in place at Loring and Brunswick. The former military infrastructure at Loring and Brunswick are ideal facilities to create launch pads and host the spaceport complex. LD 1923 supports Governor Janet Mills’ 10-Year Strategic Plan and moves the state closer to its goal of adding 75,000 new people to the workforce.
 
As this bill now moves forward in the committee process, the Maine State Chamber will continue to engage and work to make sure LD 1923 passes and gets signed into law. For additional information or questions, please contact Ben Lucas by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 111, or by emailing blucas@mainechamber.org.