Anne Conroy-Baiter,
Space Coast Chamber of Commerce

“We have a responsibility to speak clearly about what’s possible and what policies will unlock it. LEO satellite broadband is part of that future.”

Anne Conroy-Baiter, President & CEO: Space Coast Chamber of Commerce

I’ve lived all over this country, but I can tell you with certainty that the Space Coast is one of the most special places to live, as we advance in becoming the capital of launch. That distinction matters now more than ever.

When we talk about space policy and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband, we’re not just talking about abstract policy debates. We’re talking about real economic transformation happening in Floridians’ backyards. The statewide impact is $8.2 billion, but what excites me most is that the space industry is creating a real, on-the-ground workforce pipeline to support companies here in Florida. We’re seeing hundreds of millions in direct capital investment and high-wage jobs across every skill level, from trades to astronauts.

After the shuttle program shut down years ago, the Space Coast learned the hard way that diversification saves communities. Today, multiple entities like the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Space Florida, Space Coast Chamber and many others are deliberate about building that pipeline while also protecting our infrastructure and environment.

You also have to consider the tourism impact of living by a launch hub—when Artemis launches, we’re expecting 400,000 visitors and a $160 million economic impact for that one event. The economic wins of this industry aren’t theoretical anymore.

The other side of space innovation that we don’t often get to see is the results—the day-to-day wins it drives for everyday people. Without space innovation, we wouldn’t have memory foam, infrared thermometers or cordless tools. It’s also important to consider the connectivity implications of investment in space.

We often think the digital divide only impacts hyper-rural, remote areas, but that isn’t the case. I previously ran Junior Achievement of the Space Coast, a global nonprofit that focuses on socioeconomic advancement for young people, and I can tell you firsthand that the digital divide affects pockets of people everywhere. There are kids in pockets throughout our communities, even in cities, who are still connecting to schoolwork from McDonald’s parking lots. We need connectivity solutions that work everywhere high-speed internet is lacking, and space technologies like LEO satellite broadband are making a difference.

The Space Coast Chamber recently rebranded to better reflect a unified regional voice at a moment when global attention is turning toward our community. Companies everywhere from Asia to Europe are calling about our space ecosystem, and we have a responsibility to articulate both what is possible here and the policy framework needed to fully realize that opportunity.

Hear directly from Anne:

Jacquelyne Leffler,
Leffler Prime Performance

I grew up watching my dad and grandpa work dawn to dusk. I wanted nothing to do with farming then, but agriculture is evolving and, thanks to technology, it’s not the same today as it was for my father and grandfather. Now, as a fourth-generation farmer and beef producer here in Kansas, I can’t imagine doing anything else.

While technological advancements certainly make our farm more efficient, and tools like precision sensors and GPS/autosteer-enabled machinery help take out some of the guesswork, farming still isn’t a walk in the park. Especially when so much of America’s farmland still lacks reliable internet or cell service.

It’s been only recently that Leffler farms got high-speed internet. Before then, I used to spend hours sitting in McDonald’s and Taco Bell parking lots uploading Facebook posts for my beef business – it could take me two hours to upload one five-minute video. Once, I even mailed a flash drive across state lines because it was faster than sending a file digitally.

That was just a few years ago. These aren’t exaggerations. This is how much of rural America is still operating while the rest of the world moves on.

When we finally got fiber this year, it was a game-changer. Before that, we used Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite internet service. For so many farms in our region, especially those doing what we do, satellite connectivity is still the only option. The technology works, and it allows us to be better stewards of the land.

I can now manage my cattle business, monitor soil data, and make real-time decisions about seed and fertilizer rates all from my phone. We cover more acres, use fewer inputs, and actually get to spend more time together as a family because our jobs get done faster. That matters.

But connectivity on the farm isn’t just good business. It’s also a matter of safety. Twenty-five percent of the time we’re farming, we have zero cell service, which means we can’t call 911 if there’s an emergency. Having wifi that stretches across your property could actually save your life on the farm.

It’s not just farm properties that are impacted like this – rural, farmland communities are struggling just as much. I used to watch kids sit on library sidewalks and in parked cars late into the night to do their homework in my community because internet service either wasn’t available or wasn’t affordable for these families at home. Rural America deserves better.

I have a toddler at home, and when he grows up, I want him to have choices. I want him to grow up here with genuine opportunity. Whether he chooses to be the fifth-generation farmer or charts his own path entirely, I want technology to be an enabler, not a barrier. And I want every farm kid in America to have the same shot.

We have the tools. We have young, innovative farmers ready to lead. What we need now is affordability and accessibility that match the capability. We need rural America to be treated like the backbone of this nation that it actually is.

Jacquelyne Leffler

Owner & Operator, Leffler Prime Performance

Fourth-Generation Farmer & Rancher
Lion County (Kansas) Farm Bureau, Vice President

Hear directly from Jacquelyne:

Richard Hicks,
InspiredU

“If we don’t equip our kids and learners today with digital skills, with connectivity, with understanding, they disconnect.”

Richard Hicks, CEO & President, Inspiredu

I’ve spent over 18 years in the nonprofit space working to close the digital divide, and I can tell you that the conversation has fundamentally shifted. Before the pandemic, we were having important discussions about connectivity. Now, we’re beyond discussions. We’re executing. We’re witnessing a complete evolution in how communities understand the role of broadband in their lives, and it’s urgent.

At Inspiredu, my mission is clear: help learners of all ages develop the digital skills they need to be successful in their careers and in education. But what I’ve learned is that skills training alone isn’t enough. Connectivity is the foundation. Without it, students can’t do their homework. Parents can’t support their children’s learning. Adults can’t access the workforce pathways they need.

I remember a student who had only one place to access connectivity and a device: her school. Without this connectivity, she couldn’t do her homework, communicate with her teachers or access the resources the school provided. Her grades slipped and her engagement dropped. When we finally connected her family through our programs, everything changed. She engaged with online learning platforms, communicated with her teacher, and accessed Photoshop. She improved her grades. But here’s what stays with me: that student’s story is not unique. We hear it countless times from adult learning partners who tell us their children simply cannot be part of their educational journey without connectivity. It’s not a nice-to-have; it is an essential service. Connectivity has become a basic need.

What I’m working toward now is ensuring connectivity isn’t just available, but it’s paired with knowledge, training, and opportunity. Through our Family Learning Program, a part of our Learning Spark Initiative, we require adult learning partners to attend with their children because education requires both. We’re creating a one-stop hub of resources all in one place because families shouldn’t have to travel everywhere to get what they need. They shouldn’t have to search in the dark. We’re partnering with libraries, financial institutions, and community organizations across rural Georgia and beyond. We’re also working with groups like College AIM to help first-generation college students get devices and training so they can pursue cybersecurity and other high-skill careers because the workforce is evolving. AI is here. Consequently, new jobs will follow that we can’t even imagine yet. If we don’t equip our kids and learners today with digital skills, with connectivity, with understanding, they disconnect. We can’t let them fall behind.

We’re also bridging populations that have been left behind. This includes refugee populations who are now U.S. citizens looking to become part of this community and folks in southwest Georgia counties where nearly half the population lacks any connectivity at all except their cell phone. Inspiredu’s Volunteer & Training Center is becoming a community hub where people can access computers, training assistance, and resources. But we need more of these hubs. We need LEOs or fiber in those places in Georgia that are severely lacking in connectivity. We need a network of support.

When parents are involved in their student’s learning, grades improve and engagement thrives. When adults have access to digital skills training and resources, they can chart their own path forward. When rural communities are treated as partners in this evolution, rather than afterthoughts, they thrive. With LEOs and fiber, along with proper training and support infrastructure, we can ensure no learner gets left behind as we move into an AI-driven world. That’s what Inspiredu is working toward every single day.

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