MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A number of Florida leaders are pushing to maneuver NASA’s headquarters somewhat nearer to dwelling.
The push comes because the Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) continues to make cuts to varied federal businesses, with Gov. Ron DeSantis making the case that transferring NASA headquarters to the Kennedy Area Heart on Florida’s Area Coast may assist lower prices.
“What they need to do is cease the mission that’s scheduled to spend half a billion on a brand new NASA constructing in D.C. when no person exhibits as much as work there anyway, or only a few do — it’s like this large vacant constructing,” DeSantis mentioned. “Scrap that. Pocket that $500 million.”
NBC affiliate WESH obtained an announcement from Cheryl Warner with NASA HQ explaining that the lease on the company’s present constructing in Washington D.C. is up in 2028. Warner mentioned NASA is at present choices to lease a brand new facility within the D.C. space.
“In compliance with the Government Order signed Jan. 20, NASA workers are returning to full-time onsite work by no later than this Friday, Feb. 28,” Warner wrote, referring to President Donald Trump’s order ending distant work for federal workers.
It stays unclear what it could take for the company’s headquarters to be moved to Florida. Those that are towards the transfer argue that NASA HQ ought to keep near the nation’s capital to make sure that the company continues to obtain funding.
Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped different Florida leaders from chiming in. Sen. Ashley Moody took to social media to supply her help for the concept.
“The transfer would save taxpayers cash, encourage collaboration with non-public area corporations, and faucet into Florida’s gifted workforce within the aerospace trade to spur additional innovation,” Moody wrote in a post on X.
Rob Lengthy, the CEO and president of Area Florida, additionally supplied an announcement to WESH by which he mentioned it is sensible to relocate NASA headquarters from D.C. to Florida.
“Bringing NASA’s headquarters to Florida is a logical step that aligns with our state’s place within the international area financial system,” Lengthy mentioned. “Florida is already the middle of America’s aerospace trade, and relocating the headquarters right here would gas even better enterprise development, innovation, and alternative. Getting NASA’s management nearer to the place a bulk of the mission occurs every single day simply is sensible.”
