Cecil Field officially got promoted from airport to spaceport - a distinction it now shares with Cape Canaveral and Eglin Air Force Base.
Governor Scott came to Jacksonville and signed off on House Bill 59 over the weekend - which will ready the former military base for companies in the commercial space industry. It falls in line with the governor's effort to attract more aerospace and high-tech jobs.
"It is critical that we continue to focus on and invest in infrastructure projects that will directly benefit our state's economy," said Governor Scott. "Having Cecil Field designated as a spaceport will play a major role in the continued development of Florida's aerospace and aviation industries and will continue to keep our economy heading in the right direction."
Statewide, the industry employs more than 74,000 people - almost 7,000 locally - and provides a nearly $18-billion economic impact, according to Space Florida. For now, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority is working on a first-of-its-kind Spaceport Master Plan.