Florida Today reports that the State of Florida will invest $7 million "to help SpaceX increase its local launch rate and potentially attract hundreds of jobs to the Space Coast."
A SpaceX representative identified the state agency as Space Florida, although the agency didn't confirm their involvement to Florida Today.
"Having extra processing facilities for launch vehicles and payloads enables us to increase our launch rate," said SpaceX spokesman Bobby Block. "The greater the launch rate, the more activity you have out at the Cape."
The Falcon 9 made its first two launches last year, including a demonstration mission under a NASA program preparing for deliveries of cargo to the International Space Station. Another demonstration for NASA is planned late this year.
The company currently has 20 launches from the Cape under contract, including 13 for NASA, and hopes to launch from there
monthly starting in 2015.
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