Purdue helps Fla. Space Coast with economy ideas

Chicago Tribune: Purdue helps Fla. Space Coast with economy ideas
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.— Purdue University advisers are working with a Florida region near the Kennedy Space Center to help identify new opportunities to build the economy after the end of the nation's space shuttle program.

The Brevard County Workforce and Economic Development Commission enlisted Purdue's help last year as it works to come up with a plan for life after the shuttle. The work became more urgent after President Barack Obama's decision to cancel a program that would have replaced the shuttle with rocketry similar to that used during the Apollo moon program.

"A lot of alarm bells went off then," said Michael Aller, executive director of Space Coast Energy Consortium. "We needed a Plan B, but what is our plan B?"

Purdue's Center for Regional Development, which opened in 2005, has a history of helping communities such as Kokomo and Milwaukee, Wis., rebound after industry losses. The center uses research and analysis to help business, industry and local leaders generate new models of business.

Ed Morrison, an economic adviser with the center, told the Journal & Courier he has visited 23 states in the last 18 months. The center helps communities determine the best growth and development strategies based on economic, transportation and other types of data. It also organizes seminars to bring together business and community leaders and helps them form strategic plans in hours, not months.

"We have to find new ways to collaborate to do it quickly," he said. "No one has any time."

Brevard County has lost 7,000 jobs in the past year, according to the Agency for Workforce Innovation. Another 2,000 space workers are expected be out of work later this month when the Atlantis shuttle mission ends.

Morrison said Purdue's efforts in Florida's Space Coast are focused on building and supporting new companies to absorb some of the talent from NASA.

He said the transition won't occur overnight or replace all 9,000 jobs.

"It is like growing a garden. The first thing you have to do is face facts. ... But most importantly, build a new narrative," he said. "What is the new story? Don't tell me the old story."