AEROSPACE JOB LURES PROPOSED; BUDGET INCLUDES BOOST.

Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer

California efforts to promote the commercial space industry will get a $10 million boost if the proposed state budget is approved by the Assembly and Gov. Pete Wilson.

The proposed budget includes:

$6.3 million for the California Space and Technology Alliance, a nonprofit organization that serves as the state's spaceport authority.

$2.2 million for grants in the state's Highway to Space program, which helps communities create the infrastructure needed for space projects.

$1.5 million for studies to support California's efforts to be designated as a launch site for the VentureStar, a spaceship being developed by Lockheed Martin in Palmdale.

``Hopefully this will be a start,'' said state Sen. W.J. ``Pete'' Knight, R-Palmdale. ``Hopefully we will be able to compete with other states.''

Endorsed by Antelope Valley lawmakers, the space and technology alliance is working on a statewide plan to attract commercial space operations. More than 300 men and women and 125 organizations are involved in the alliance, including aerospace companies, the state Trade and Commerce Agency and Silicon Valley software companies.

The plan is expected to be completed later this month.

The governor's original proposed budget had no money allocated for the alliance, which sought $23 million for its efforts.

``We're feeling good,'' said Andrea Seastrand, executive director of the alliance. ``We feel we were able to make our case to both parties, Democrats and Republicans.''

The alliance is considering a variety of efforts to enhance commercial space operations, including public-relations and education programs. The alliance hopes to hold what it calls a space summit early next year with the new governor and newly elected state legislators.

The alliance also plans to sponsor a program in the fall, with theme-park tie-ins, to highlight the importance of efforts in space.

Leaders of the alliance say there need to be tax incentives for educating and training workers in the aerospace industry, as well as roads, power lines, water and other infrastructure to attract space-related employers.

The alliance also is creating a database about assets available in California for space-related businesses looking for sites.

A site at Edwards Air Force Base is among those that would be examined with the proposed $1.5 million for studies in California's bid to attract jobs related to developing and operating a spaceport for the VentureStar.

The Antelope Valley is among regions in 18 states, including Florida and New Mexico, trying to attract VentureStar work.

California alliance officials said Florida lawmakers have budgeted nearly $5 million for work at Cape Canaveral, space industry recruitment efforts, and university programs to support aerospace.

There are also a host of bills working their way through the Florida Legislature aimed at providing tax breaks for aerospace companies to relocate to Florida or expand operations there, according to the California alliance.