LD 1923 passed the Legislature, heads to Governor’s desk

Earlier this week, the Legislature passed to be enacted LD 1923, An Act To Establish the Maine Space Corporation. Introduced by Sen. Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland), this bill had a list of bipartisan cosponsors. LD 1923 received a strong bipartisan vote in the Legislature, passing unanimously in the Maine House of Representatives, and by a vote of 23-7 in the Maine State Senate. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is in strong support of LD 1923, and we thank all legislators who voted in support of this bill. We look forward to Governor Mills signing this into law when it reaches her desk.

LD 1923 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. Along with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, there were several groups that support LD 1923 – such as the University of Maine System, the Roux Institute, the Maine Community College System, AGC Maine, Maine Space Grant Consortium, Midcoastal Regional Redevelopment Authority, Loring Development Authority, Texas Instruments, and several others.

The Maine State Chamber supported 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, attracting young people to Maine and keeping 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 is our eastern and northern geographic location. Second is our well-established manufacturing sector. Third is the potential STEM workforce that our higher education systems at the University of Maine, Maine Community College System, and the newly established Roux Institute are well positioned to develop and educate. Lastly, Maine also has the existing infrastructure in place at the former military bases at Loring and Brunswick are ideal facilities to create launch pads and to host the spaceport complex.

LD 1923 helps supports Governor Janet Mills’ 10-Year Strategic Plan with the goal of adding 75,000 new people to the workforce. For additional information or questions, please contact Ben Lucas, government relations specialist, by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 111, or by emailing blucas@mainechamber.org.