![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spacenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bli_grc.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&ssl=1\")
People Power<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFor legacy companies and space startups alike, Ohio\u2019s biggest draw is its workforce, said retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Lester Lyles, chairman of the NASA Advisory Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have consistently reminded people: As you\u2019re looking for talent and expertise that apply to space, you need to broaden your aperture,\u201d said Lyles, who has encouraged space operators to look beyond traditional talent centers in Florida, Texas and California. \u201cBecause of my long career that includes 36 years in the Air Force leading large aerospace firms and large aerospace activities, I know what the talent is in Ohio.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Buckeye state is home to 88 colleges and universities \u2014 including seven R1 Carnegie-level research institutions \u2014 that produce nearly 40,000 STEM graduates every year, many of whom have specialized degrees in space-related fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Proximity Matters\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAlong with space talent, Ohio\u2019s value proposition includes space infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCompanies \u2026 don\u2019t have to replicate the expertise or facilities that already exist at NASA Glenn and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,\u201d said Free. He pointed to SpaceX, which conducted payload fairing tests for its Falcon 9 rocket at NASA\u2019s Neil Armstrong Test Facility. \u201cThey don\u2019t have to make those capital expenditures because they can be partial users of those facilities to access the experience and expertise they need to work through their problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even in a world defined by remote work, there\u2019s no substitute for physical proximity to talent and technology, suggested Nauseef, who said being located near Ohio-based research centers, suppliers and customers can decrease costs and increase security, networking and collaboration, all of which can accelerate space innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnce you open people\u2019s eyes to where the skills are and how they can be utilized, everybody wants to jump on board,\u201d Lyles said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with space talent, Ohio\u2019s value proposition includes space infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCompanies \u2026 don\u2019t have to replicate the expertise or facilities that already exist at NASA Glenn and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,\u201d said Free. He pointed to SpaceX, which conducted payload fairing tests for its Falcon 9 rocket at NASA\u2019s Neil Armstrong Test Facility. \u201cThey don\u2019t have to make those capital expenditures because they can be partial users of those facilities to access the experience and expertise they need to work through their problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even in a world defined by remote work, there\u2019s no substitute for physical proximity to talent and technology, suggested Nauseef, who said being located near Ohio-based research centers, suppliers and customers can decrease costs and increase security, networking and collaboration, all of which can accelerate space innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnce you open people\u2019s eyes to where the skills are and how they can be utilized, everybody wants to jump on board,\u201d Lyles said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n