FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2026
Florida Space Innovation Center Launches on Historic May 25 Anniversary to Ensure Southeast Volusia Shapes Its Own Future
New Smyrna Beach, FL — The Florida Space Innovation Center (FSIC) launches today on a date of profound significance in America’s space story. On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy delivered his “Urgent National Needs” address, setting the moonshot in motion and transforming Florida’s Space Coast into a global center of innovation.
Sixty‑five years later, FSIC launches on this same date to honor that legacy and to ensure that Southeast Volusia has a voice in shaping the next era of space‑driven growth. FSIC begins in New Smyrna Beach, rooted in the values and aspirations of the community that initiated it — but it is intentionally designed to scale across the region and ultimately benefit the entire state of Florida.
“May 25th has always symbolized what happens when a nation chooses to take ownership of its future,” said John Joaquin, speaking on behalf of FSIC. “Today, Southeast Volusia makes its own declaration. We are stepping forward to shape our future with intention, not leaving it to outside interests or shifting market forces.”
“After years working in California’s aerospace sector, I moved home to New Smyrna Beach and hoped to contribute to Florida’s growing space industry,” said Erik Ahlgren, aerospace engineer and FSIC founding leader. “But the overwhelming majority of opportunities in the sector required long commutes to the Cape or Orlando. I’m not alone in this. There are countless engineers, technicians, and innovators living here who want to build their careers close to home. FSIC exists for people like us. It brings the industry closer to Southeast Volusia so talent doesn’t have to leave the community to participate in the space economy.”
For decades, communities near the Cape have been influenced by cycles they did not control—real estate markets, developer priorities, political turnover, and industry swings. FSIC represents a different path: a permanent civic infrastructure designed to give residents representation, stability, and a seat at the table as the space economy accelerates.
A Proven Foundation for Florida’s Future
FSIC is built on approaches that have already delivered measurable results in other regions. It draws on the coordinated innovation model that propelled the quantum ecosystem in the Washington, D.C. area and the structured talent and industry strategy that reshaped Osceola County’s semiconductor sector. These proven frameworks demonstrate how communities can organize, align partners, and attract major outside investment — and FSIC adapts these lessons to Florida’s rapidly expanding space economy.
Three Core Benefits for Florida Stakeholders
-
Ecosystem Building & Convening Power - FSIC aligns schools, employers, civic organizations, and industry partners around shared priorities—reducing fragmentation and accelerating progress.
-
A Platform for Significant External Funding - By demonstrating readiness, coordination, and long‑term strategy, FSIC positions Florida to compete for federal, philanthropic, and private‑sector investment at a scale individual organizations cannot secure alone.
-
Closing Gaps in Workforce, Talent, and Innovation - FSIC strengthens the talent pipeline, supports innovators, and helps local companies grow—ensuring Florida has the skilled workforce and innovation capacity required for the next generation of space and technology industries.
A Future Built with Intention
“The space economy is accelerating, and our community deserves more than a front‑row seat — we deserve a voice,” Joaquin said. “FSIC is about stewardship, representation, and building a future that reflects who we are and what we value.”
With today’s launch, FSIC begins the work of establishing community‑driven priorities, building transparent frameworks for engagement, and creating durable structures that ensure Southeast Volusia remains represented as opportunities expand. What starts in New Smyrna Beach is designed to grow with the region, strengthen the Space Coast, and contribute to Florida’s long‑term leadership in the space economy.
About the Florida Space Innovation Center (FSIC)
The Florida Space Innovation Center (FSIC) is a community‑driven civic infrastructure initiative founded in New Smyrna Beach and designed to strengthen Southeast Volusia’s role in the rapidly expanding space economy. Built on proven regional‑innovation models, FSIC aligns partners across education, industry, government, and community organizations to create a coordinated ecosystem that supports talent development, innovation, and long‑term economic resilience.
FSIC’s mission is to ensure that local values, local voices, and local priorities shape the opportunities emerging around the Space Coast — while building a scalable framework that benefits the broader region and the State of Florida. Through strategic convening, ecosystem building, and the pursuit of significant external investment, FSIC works to close critical gaps in workforce, talent pipelines, and innovation capacity.
Media Contact:
Erik Ahlgren
Communications Leader
Florida Space Innovation Center
info@fsic.space
