FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Eric A. Daniels
916-551-1543
SACRAMENTO - The California Cultural and Historic Endowment (CCHE) has awarded a planning grant in the amount of $150,000 to the California Space Education and Workforce Institute (CSEWI) for the California Space Center, which is to be built in Santa Barbara County on 66 acres outside the front gate of Vandenberg Air Force Base. The CSEWI is a state-wide charity dedicated to education and workforce issues of the space enterprise community.
"The California Space Center will educate the public regarding the historical significance of Vandenberg Air Force Base, from its beginning as the home of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians to its current activities as an Air Force base that launches satellites into space," stated Andrea Seastrand, Executive Director of the California Space Authority (CSA), the organization which created CSEWI. "This grant award represents the first step in making this facility a reality in that it provides funding for environmental surveys and architectural planning."
The California Space Center is envisioned to be a world-class facility that tells the inspirational story of California's significant contributions to space enterprise, including national security, homeland security, communications and Earth observation. The Center will feature an historic rocket park, a launch viewing amphitheater, and educational facilities on the Air Force base. A long-term lease for the 66 acre site at Vandenberg AFB has been requested. A Native American interpretive center will include tribal references to the sky and the stars. Chumash artifacts found on VAFB will also be showcased.
"This grant will lead to a facility that will stimulate and inspire California's youth to study science, math and engineering. The Center will also serve to help educate the people of California about the many contributions made by space enterprise to our everyday lives," stated Paula Avendson, President of the CSEWI. "The timing of this award is significant in that it occurs during the Year of the Museum, as designated by the U.S. Congress, and Museum Month, as designated by Governor Schwarzenegger."
"CSA and its member organizations thank the CCHE for its support of our vision for the California Space Center in its award of this grant," concluded Seastrand.
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