Commercial Space Federation Launches State and Local Council to Align States on National Space Capacity and Strengthen the U.S. Industrial Base

Washington, D.C. — July 15, 2026 — The Commercial Space Federation (CSF), the leading trade association representing the commercial space industry, today announced the launch of its State and Local Council (SLC), a new membership body that convenes states and regions to collectively address the commercial space sector’s most pressing capacity challenges and to align regional strengths into national capability. The Council launches with four founding members representing some of the nation’s most active and fastest-growing space regions: the Texas Space Commission, the Arizona Space Commission, Space Florida, and Space Northwest. The Council will convene states to meet the nation’s growing demand for launch, infrastructure, supply chain, and workforce. The Challenge: National Demand, Regional Capacity The United States is confronting space capacity challenges that no single state can solve alone. Launch demand is surging, infrastructure is strained, supply chains are stretched, and the workforce pipeline must scale quickly to keep pace with an industry that is now foundational to economic competitiveness and national security. Meeting that demand is a national imperative, and the capabilities that answer it live in the states. About the State and Local Council The State and Local Council gives regional space and economic-development organizations two things most cannot build on their own: a trusted, informed presence in Washington and a direct line into the commercial space industry. Members receive regular briefings on federal priorities, appropriations movement, and regulatory shifts; as well as a connective thread to CSF member companies evaluating expansion, site needs, and supply-chain partners. Just as important, the Council creates a forum for states to work with one another. Through roundtables, working groups, and strategic dialogues, members can align investments to fill national gaps rather than duplicate effort. “America’s leadership in space depends on the strength of the industrial base that supports it. Across the country, states are investing in launch infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, workforce development, research, and supply chains that are critical to meeting growing commercial and national security demands. The State and Local Council brings those leaders together to share best practices, align regional strengths with national priorities, and help ensure the United States has the capacity, resilience, and coordination needed to lead the next era of commercial space.” —Dave Cavossa, President, Commercial Space Federation Founding Member Perspectives “Texas Space Commission commends the Commercial Space Federation for establishing the State and Local Council. By connecting states with one another—and with clear signals from industry as well as federal agencies—this Council can help America’s space economy thrive. The Lone Star State is committed to accelerating investment, strengthening our workforce, expanding critical i…