A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. SpaceX launched 60 mini satellites Monday, the second batch of an orbiting network meant to provide global internet coverage. (Craig Bailey/Florida Today via AP) On Monday, a SpaceX rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral loaded with tiny satellites to build a global internet network. Friday, Lee County is looking at how it will play a role in the next golden age of space exploration. Education and transportation are just a few ways Lee County can benefit when it comes to the aerospace industry. Friday, members of Horizon Way and the Lee County Economic Development office hosted an informative meeting about the future of aerospace and the role Lee County and the state of Florida will play. They say the industry has grown a lot since NASA’s space shuttle program ended in 2011. Instead of Florida being just a launching site, companies are now making those parts here. With more boots on the ground, that means areas here in Florida can get a piece of the pie too. WINK News spoke with Dave Ketcham of Space Florida, who says local airports are just one of the ways we can help. “It’s critical that Florida has a strong network of roads, air and seaports from here in a Europe and China and South America Africa and elsewhere,” said Dale Ketcham, Vice President of Space Florida. That’s where Wright Construction comes in. The company helped build the Skyplex property near RSW, a site that draws businesses in because of its proximity to the airport – potentially those in aerospace. Fred Edman, President of Wright Construction Group, says, “Lee County with the north side of the airport being developed, especially with the new Skyplex Boulevard entrance, the port authority is really inviting new businesses to come and establish their headquarters right there on the north side of the airport.” And with the county already capitalizing on attracting students to aviation, we’re a step ahead. At Bonita Springs High School, Michelle Guitierrez and her peers are learning how to build and fly aerospace machines. She says “I would like to probably engineer rockets, satellites, things like that. Making way for a brighter future for all mankind.