In July 2011, the final Space Shuttle launched from Kennedy Space Center, creating a significant economic transition throughout Florida’s Space Coast.

The Space Coast was confronted with the layoff of thousands of highly educated, highly skilled workers resulting from the Space Shuttle’s retirement. Now, nearly every day, someone on the Space Coast is asked, “What is happening to the Space Coast now that the Shuttle has retired?”

To answer this question, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast led the charge to develop a proactive, affirmative response strategy – the Space Transition Public Relations Strategy. The media attention and new awareness provided us with an unprecedented opportunity to “tell our story” – to highlight the Space Coast’s many opportunities and competitive advantages.

This is how we did it.