WOODBINE, Ga. – A proposed Spaceport Camden Innovation and Research Park in Camden County would produce job growth and investment benefits for residents as well as outside aeronautical firms using Spaceport Camden, a study funded by the county found.
Astralytical, a space analytics firm, was hired to assess the opportunities an aerospace research park would provide, presented a collection of ideas for the area surrounding Spaceport Camden based on current facilities and programs, presumed spaceport needs and potential supplemental and related markets.
The report highlighted the opportunity for Spaceport Camden to attract research, development, and space manufacturing facilities in coastal Georgia.
"Astralytical reviewed the facilities and activities at other launch sites around the country to determine best practices and identify the needs of space entrepreneurs," report's author, Astralytical founder Laura Forczyk, said. "This report is intended to offer county leaders a framework for leveraging Spaceport Camden into a research and innovation hub for Georgia."
Specifically, the Innovation and Research Park would seek to encourage the relocation, expansion and creation of businesses among both spaceport users and secondary support providers.
"Ultimately, launch operations will only be a small part of the overall economic activity at Spaceport Camden," Camden County administrator and Spaceport Camden project lead Steve Howard said in a statement. "As space companies plan larger constellations with smaller rockets, Spaceport Camden is ideally positioned to serve as the epicenter of the new innovation based economy. We also offer unique space manufacturing opportunities given our position on major transportation routes between other launch sites at Cape Canaveral and Wallops Island.