Space Vandenberg launches with $9.5 million state grant

Far-reaching initiative propels job creation, innovation, and infrastructure investment across California’s Central Coast

 

A transformative new chapter is launching for California’s Central Coast. The State of California has awarded $9.5 million to REACH and a coalition of regional partners to establish Space Vandenberg—a bold new initiative to strengthen the region’s leadership in the global space economy while creating high-quality jobs, expanding innovation, and bringing new investment to the region.

Backed by years of cross-sector collaboration under the Vandenberg MOU—a regional-state-federal coalition kicked off in 2020—the funding will launch a dedicated entity to accelerate growth at and around Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), now the world’s second-busiest spaceport.

“This is a catalytic investment in the future of our region,” said Melissa James, President & CEO of REACH. “It builds on years of partnership and successes, and positions the Central Coast at the heart of California’s space strategy—one that uplifts communities, accelerates innovation, and creates real opportunity for people across our region.”

Amid surging global and regional demand for launch capacity, space technologies, and talent, the timing is pivotal. As a nimble, public-private entity, Space Vandenberg will:

 

 

This announcement marks a major milestone for the regional coalition advancing the Central Coast space economy, building on the foundation laid by the Vandenberg MOU, a comprehensive master plan, and growing investment from state and federal partners—including recent funding for expanded satellite processing facilities at the base.

The project was one of 11 across the state awarded a total of $80 million through California Jobs First and underscores the state’s designation of space as a strategic economic priority in its Jobs First Economic Blueprint. The Blueprint identifies sectors poised to drive inclusive job growth, global competitiveness, and long-term resilience—positioning initiatives like Space Vandenberg at the forefront of California’s next-generation economy.

“With over 2,000 new regional aerospace jobs expected by 2030, and a global space economy racing toward $1.8 trillion by 2035, this initiative offers a generational opportunity to build a more resilient, inclusive economy on the Central Coast,” James said.