Powering America’s Busiest Spaceport State, Space Florida Announces 2026 Call for Projects

EXPLORATION PARK, Fla.—February 6, 2026—Building on more than $531 million in state investment (currently concentrated at Kennedy Space Center, then Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and Cecil Spaceport) leveraged with $3.3 billion in private industry funding, Space Florida today announced its 2026 call for projects under the Spaceport Improvement Program (SIP). This long-standing space transportation partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) continues to fuel growth across the state’s aerospace economy.

As Florida’s primary space transportation infrastructure investment vehicle, the program serves as a force multiplier for the state’s space economy, using targeted funding to attract private capital, accelerate development, and deliver common-use infrastructure that enhance the statewide ecosystem.

The annual call invites aerospace partners to submit applications for infrastructure projects that support current and future space transportation needs across Florida’s statewide spaceport system. Applications are due Wednesday, April 22, 2026.  

“Florida’s continued leadership in aerospace is built on smart, strategic infrastructure investment,” said Rob Long, Col. (Ret.), president and CEO of Space Florida. “Our partnership with FDOT ensures Florida can scale faster than competitors by removing infrastructure barriers, reducing risk for industry partners, and leveraging smart tools for the benefit of our entire state.”  

“Through strong partnerships and strategic investments, Florida’s space industry has rapidly grown and thrived, as seen through our record-breaking space launches in 2025 and increased manufacturing and launch capabilities along the Space Coast,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “FDOT is proud to help maintain that momentum through key investments in the Spaceport Improvement Program, which will further support our aerospace partners as they push the bounds for greater achievements in space than ever before.”

As space is a designated mode of transportation in Florida, Space Florida works closely with FDOT to jointly plan, develop, and improve statewide aerospace transportation facilities. Since its inception in 2012, the program has served as a powerful investment catalyst for Florida’s aerospace ecosystem, supporting 48 major infrastructure projects, helping to create more than 5,000 high-quality aerospace jobs, and reinforcing Florida’s position as the world’s premier state for aerospace commerce.

Strategic infrastructure investments made through the SIP have had ripple effects across the space ecosystem. Improvements such as the one-mile utility corridor at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility helped unlock new ground lease opportunities, including Amazon Leo. Previous SIP projects include SpaceX’s Gigabay, Cecil Spaceport’s utility corridor, Blue Origin’s Lunar Production Facility, Relativity Space’s improvements to Heavy Launch Road, and United Launch Alliance’s commodities pipeline and Space Coast Access Roadway at Exploration Spaceport. Last year’s call for projects for space transportation infrastructure improvements was valued over $79 million.

This year, Space Florida will be accepting applications for projects planned for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031). Submission of an application is required for Space Florida to evaluate, prioritize, and advance candidate projects for available funding.  

More information about the Spaceport Improvement Program and application requirements are available at https://www.spaceflorida.gov/florida-spaceport-improvement-program.
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Media Contact
Alayna Curry, APR
acurry@spaceflorida.gov

About Space Florida
Space Florida is where leading aerospace companies get everything they need to see their new ideas take off. As the state’s independent aerospace finance and development authority, Space Florida brings a mix of unrivaled experience, unmatched financial tools, and unbeatable location to the table by providing critical business financing opportunities for the aerospace industry, managing infrastructure investment in the state’s spaceport system, and facilitating research and development, workforce, education, and investment programs.  

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