Resolution of the Board of Supervisors
County of Santa Barbara, State of California

Support the Development of Space Enterprise and Space Enterprise Activities in
Santa Barbara County

Resolution No. 02-138

WHEREAS, large clusters of space enterprise manufacturers have settled in California thereby making this state one of the few in the nation with the end-to-end capabilities of research and design, manufacture, launch and systems management; and

WHEREAS, our community has long benefited from the jobs and economic growth that has occurred due to a prosperous space enterprise climate in California and we boast today approximately 8,000 jobs in our community associated with space enterprise; and

WHEREAS, as growth in space enterprise services such as global positioning systems, remote sensing and satellite imaging continues to evolve from an industry dominated by governmental contracts to one that is commercially-driven and project oriented, our community is certain to build upon our economic foundation as new markets are created by the demands of consumers; and

WHEREAS, at least 40 countries and 18 states are eagerly competing for a share of the expansion of the worldwide space market, thereby creating competition to our community in its ability to retain and grow the estimated 600 space enterprise businesses located within our borders; and

WHEREAS, our community hosts one of the nation's premier launch sites providing an additional 3,500 military space jobs, 1,000 civilian jobs and 2,700 space-related contractor jobs and economic impact to the community of over $ 1 billion; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the jobs and revenues created by space enterprise in our community, we recognize that we host impressive educational facilities, faculties, technical education and training programs all poised to assume a vigorous proactive role in promoting and addressing space enterprise needs throughout the state; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ORDERED, that the Board of Supervisors of Santa Barbara County does hereby support the development of space enterprise consistent with prudent environment sensitivity and minimal regulation in order to retain and grow the prestige, jobs and associated economic benefits of a robust space enterprise community and the services development of new services provided therefrom; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Board of Supervisors commends the California Space Authority for its efforts to foster and maintain space enterprise in our community and throughout the State of California and that their continued efforts to educate policy makers and elected officials be supported for the economic betterment and diversification of the entire state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Board of Supervisors announce and post in its web site a specified date for each year to be honored as Space Day for the community and to support and encourage educational programs within the community specific to space enterprise development; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Board of Supervisors directs its administrative agencies to include, as appropriate, in their respective written statements of responsibilities and duties an element that addresses our community's vigorous support of space enterprise development. Among other things this support shall include a streamlined permitting process, a rapid response to industry problems under our jurisdiction, an immediate response to appropriate space enterprise activities; and

BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED THAT the Board of Supervisors upon adopting this Resolution shall deliver signed copies of it to the Governor, Secretary of Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency, Deputy Secretary of the Division of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Chief Executive Officer of the California Space Authority and that the resolution shall be posted on our community's web site.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 9th day of April 2002.

AYES: Schwartz, Rose, Marshall, Gray, Urbanske

NOES: none

ABSTAIN: none

ABSENT: none

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