Ryan Ray
Pro-business group Associated Industries of Florida will focus more of its lobbying muscle on the aerospace industry in 2015, according to an announcement issued Wednesday. The announcement came shortly after AIF President & CEO Tom Feeney was elected to serve on the Cocoa Beach-based Space Foundation’s board of directors.
AIF hopes to marshal increasing state and private dollars as federal funding for aerospace dwindles.
“The aerospace industry has a long history in Florida; and, now more than ever, we should be focusing our attention on this sector of our economy, so it can continue to grow and succeed,” said Feeney in a written statement. “With the shuttering of the space shuttle program, the private sector has steered the aerospace industry down a successful path that employs Floridians who are experts in their field.”
Along with its newfound relationship with the Space Foundation, the AIF’s main vehicle for its influence and lobbying efforts on behalf of the aerospace industry will be its Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense Council.
The group will seek tax incentives for manufacturers, increased funding for education in the aerospace field and the permanent elimination of sales taxes on heavy machinery related to the industry.
