A $9.5 million state grant will launch Space Vandenberg, a two-county initiative to educate future aerospace workers, boost innovation and otherwise meet the needs of the industry, as the military base looks to become what one leader dubbed “the LAX of orbital access.”

On Friday, officials gathered at the Allan Hancock College Fine Arts Complex for the Space Vandenberg announcement funded by the grant awarded to REACH, an economic development organization focused on Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

About 75 people, including elected officials, educators, business leaders and aerospace industry representatives, attended the event.

The funding aims to accelerate growth at and around Vandenberg Space Force Base, now the world’s second-busiest spaceport, recognizing that more activity will need more workers and more facilities that will require public-private partnership.

“This is a major step in supporting space advancement within this state,” said Col. James “Jim” Horne III, commander of Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg. “We need all of you.”

In addition to national security and economic development, space remains critical on a day-to-day basis, such as navigation satellites used by cellphone map apps and other services. 

California’s investment will contribute to the resilience and growth at Vandenberg, Horne said.

“We ourselves are investing over $800 million over the next five years in infrastructure at Vandenberg to recapitalize and to get ready to truly unlock the capacity for access to space, and we’re extremely excited about that,” Horne said.

He referred to “the spaceport we’re trying to build — I call it the LAX of orbital access — to meet the evolving demands of a global space environment.”

REACH President/CEO Melissa James said Space Vandenberg has been designed as “a nimble public-private entity” to benefit the aerospace industry.

“Without trained talent, launches will stall. Without innovation, the industry won’t grow, and without infrastructure, nothing moves. Space Vandenberg brings all three together,” James said. 

“The three elements of Space Vandenberg are not only critical to the growth and the success of the Central Coast economy, but they serve as really key and critical platforms for the type of work that California needs to be doing in all of our regions moving forward,” said Derek Kirk, senior advisor for economic policy for the state’s GO-Biz.

Vandenberg Works to Add Pathways to Jobs

Allan Hancock College will create new aerospace-specific courses, Superintendent/President Kevin Walthers said. Existing classes such as machining and welding already educate people for other careers but also apply to aerospace, he added.

“We’re committed to building pathways for students so that they can get the good jobs they need on the Central Coast and can be successful,” Walthers said. 

Another endeavor will ensure that students learn about the variety of aerospace careers during lessons planned for classrooms at all grade levels, according to Career Technical Education Director Sarah Cameron from the Santa Barbara County Office of Education.

“These experiences are designed to inspire curiosity and to connect what students are learning in the classroom with career opportunities right here on the Central Coast,” she said, adding that the programs aim to create a seamless talent pipeline for the aerospace industry.

Vandenberg Innovates to Boost Research 

Vandenberg Innovates will look to unite industry, education and the Space Force to focus on solving various challenges. Another component will look to accelerate space technology, including helping startups and moving key research into the market. 

“This is a bold thrust forward to create this hub,” Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong said. “It’s also a real holistic approach to workforce development, economic development and also national defense. This is critical.”

UCSB will provide its world-class research, a desire to innovate, a culture of moving technology from the lab to the market and more. 

“We are thrilled to be part of this collaborative to bring our research excellence, innovation ecosystem and collaborative spirit to Space Vandenberg and to ensure California leads in both talent and in technology for decades to come,” UCSB Vice Chancellor of Research Rachel Segalman said. 

Vandenberg Accelerates to Meet Needs

With Firefly Aerospace’s launch cadence expected to increase from three in 2025 to more in the following years, Dane Drefke, Firefly’s director of West Coast launch operations, said Space Vandenberg will be beneficial to the company’s plans.

At some point, more launches will require more launch pads and additional payload processing facilities.

Space Vandenberg can act as the voice of the industry, helping streamline processes, provide guidance and advocate for aerospace, said Drefke, who was followed by representatives of SpaceX and United Launch Alliance 

“It’s clear that navigating the current landscape of logistics and regulations is a daunting task for an organization the size of Firefly, so Space Vandenberg and REACH are exactly what this region and industry need at this critical juncture,” Drefke said.