Call to Action: Call the Governor and tell him to make the deal happen

03/30/13 00:18:00    

By Michael Mealling

Word has come from the Georgia Space Working Group that the Governor's office needs to hear from citizens that they should do whatever is necessary to beat Texas and Florida for SpaceX's new launch site.

As reported yesterday, Governor Deal discussed incentives with Elon last Friday. The Governor offered a typical set of incentives for Georgia: free land, job creation incentives, and tax breaks. Things that both Texas and Florida are also offering. But Texas is also offering $6.2 million in cash. Florida is offering $10 million. Elon has also asked Texas for laws protecting them from frivolous lawsuits similar to one that stopped operations near Waco:

Referring to the spaceport’s potential location: “Texas is the leading candidate, but we need certain legislation to pass that’s supportive of space launch,” Musk said. “One of the things we need for example is we need to be able to close the beach while we’re doing a launch. And Texas has the 'open beaches act' so it’s like ‘Okay…we can’t launch if there’s someone right next to the rocket on the beach,’” He also said they also need some legal protection from nuisance lawsuits, such as that one person that will complain about a space-port being built — so they won’t spend all their time in court.

Georgia should do absolutely whatever it takes to win this bid. If Florida is bidding $10 million and Texas is bidding $6.2 then we should bid $16.2. To prevent frivolous lawsuits create a port authority that has immunity granted by statute. Go overboard and double whatever Texas and Florida offer. If the bid needs something the Governor can't provide then call the House and Senate back into session and make it happen.

I was born in Byron, Georgia just outside Macon. I grew up in Tifton and Brunswick. I have family in Waycross and Moultrie. I've lived in this state my entire life. I know how desperately South Georgia needs jobs. But not just any job. Something that looks far into the future. Something that doesn't depend on agriculture and prisons. It needs something that kids in places like Ocilla and TyTy can look at and know their future is a positive one that the entire world notices.

If the Governor has to declare a state emergency then do it.

Make. This. Happen.