Hobbs launches Arizona Space Commission, announces appointments

PHOENIX — Governor Katie Hobbs relaunched the Arizona Space Commission on Friday after the program had been dormant for the past decade.

Hobbs also made seven appointments on Friday to fill various positions within the Commission, selecting individuals with backgrounds in industry, science and education.

This comes after the governor signed a bill last year in an effort to advance Arizona’s aerospace and aviation industries.

“Creating economic opportunity and advancing innovation are essential to realizing the Arizona Promise,” Governor Katie Hobbs said in a press release. “The newly launched Arizona Space Commission will solidify our state’s leadership in space exploration and help grow our workforce in critical industries of the future.”

The Commission will work to seek opportunities that will further Arizona in the aerospace and aviation sectors while also providing opportunities in education. 

The Arizona Space Commission also promises to create jobs and grow Arizona’s workforce in related fields.

Arizona leads the country in concentration of guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing jobs. The Grand Canyon State also ranks among the nation’s top five for aerospace and defense manufacturing jobs.

In tandem with the Arizona Space Commission, the Arizona Commerce Authority will work every two years to create a strategic plan for the initiative.

“Bolstered by world-renowned universities, a robust aerospace and defense industry, promising startups and unique natural advantages, Arizona is fully poised to be a leader in the growing space economy,” Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, said in the release. “The Arizona Space Commission will convene leaders from across our state to propel our momentum to the next level.”

Related

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace to go its own way amid company splitGulfstream opens $130M Mesa facility, eyes expansion optionsWater, housing costs top Arizona voters’ focus, statewide survey findsFlood watch issued for parts of Maricopa County as storms threaten heavy rainArizona’s tribal, rural communities will bear the brunt as Colorado River plan fails to stabilizeArizona Department of Public Safety introduces its 1st crisis response canine