Mayor Dana Ralph of Kent is eager to serve on Governor Bob Ferguson’s newly created 23‑member Space Council, viewing the appointment as a major chance for the city and the state’s aerospace sector.
Council aims to keep Washington competitive
Governor Ferguson announced the council on Sept. 28 to advise on how Washington can remain a global leader in the space economy. The panel includes industry executives, labor leaders, educators and elected officials.
Ralph told the Kent Reporter in a Sept. 30 email, “Washington has an incredible aerospace legacy, but our greatest opportunity is still ahead of us. I want companies that started here to scale here, new companies to choose Washington, and the next generation of space innovation built right here in the Kent Valley.”
Local aerospace giants on the council
Stoke Space CEO Andy Lapsa and Blue Origin chief commercial officer Michael Edmonds also sit on the council. Blue Origin, founded in Kent in 2000 by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Stoke Space, launched in 2019, underscore the region’s importance to the industry.
Economic impact of aerospace in Kent
Ralph highlighted that aerospace manufacturing directly employs nearly 9,700 Kent residents and generates $6.2 billion in output. Across the Kent Valley—including Tukwila, Renton and Auburn—more than 34,000 people work in aerospace manufacturing, supporting nearly 56,000 jobs and $29.8 billion in total economic output.
She noted the valley’s output exceeds that of Colorado and other major aerospace hubs, emphasizing the sector’s role in providing good jobs for families and sustaining local businesses.
Investing in infrastructure and workforce
According to Ralph, the city’s responsibility is to create an environment where existing companies can grow and new firms will want to invest. That means investing in roads, freight mobility, water and sewer, reliable energy, industrial land and a skilled workforce.
She warned that other states are aggressively courting aerospace firms, so Washington must act now to keep its competitive edge.
Mayor’s hopes for the council’s work
Ralph praised the council’s composition, saying it brings together industry, labor, education and government to address workforce development, infrastructure, supply‑chain issues and regulatory barriers.
“I appreciate Governor Ferguson recognizing the urgency of this work and creating a forum where we can turn those conversations into recommendations for action,” she said.
Ralph concluded, “We know Kent cannot do this alone. We need strong partners at the state level to help make the infrastructure and workforce investments necessary to keep Washington companies competitive and attract the next generation of space and advanced manufacturing companies.”
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
