MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A new provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will make it easier to finance commercial spaceports, according to U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Florida.
Moody held a news conference Friday in Brevard County to tout what she called a “major legislative victory aimed at expanding the United States’ leadership in the space industry.”
Tucked in the bill is a provision that would allow spaceports to be treated like airports when it comes to issuing bonds. This would allow space facilities to get more financing for infrastructure for launches and landing, and for manufacturing facilities.
“This will mean that America continues to lead and dominate the commercial space frontier for decades to come,” Moody said.
“By making spaceport bonds tax-exempt, spaceports are finally and officially on equal footing with airports, seaports and other modes of transportation,” said Edgar Campa Palafox with the Space Coast Economic Development Council. “And this isn’t just about crafting smart policy. It aligns with the future of the industry.”
Florida has long sought to become the premier hub for the commercial space industry. Space Florida was established in 2006 for that purpose.
Moody said Florida’s Space Coast generates 36% of the world’s launches.
“It’s incredibly important that we as Floridians continue to fight, not just for our nation, that we do not let China or Russia overtake us in developing our abilities, capabilities, innovation in space, but that Florida remains a leader in that,” Moody said.
HR 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is a massive government funding bill that is better known for the cuts it makes to federal entitlements, increases in funding for defense and homeland security departments, and changes to income taxes.
The law also includes funding for the Artemis IV and V missions, even though the Trump administration is planning to cancel those missions, and it includes $250 million for construction and improvements at Kennedy Space Center.