§51103 Grant Applications

Summary

A sponsor can apply to the Secretary of Transportation for a project grant. The application must say what the project is and include whatever form and information the Secretary requires. When picking projects, the Secretary will look at things like how the project helps the Government’s space transportation needs; how much money and participation industry will provide; whether it helps U.S. companies compete internationally; how much the State helps; and how the project affects launch operations at Government launch ranges. The Secretary must talk with the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of the National Space and Aeronautics Administration, and other federal agency heads about the project’s help to Government space needs and its effects on Government launch ranges. The Secretary can approve an application only if the project furthers the chapter’s goals; fits reasonably with current plans of state-authorized local public agencies that handle area development; has the specific consent of the head of the agency if it uses Government property; can be finished without unreasonable delay; is proposed by a sponsor who has legal authority to do it; and meets any extra requirements the Secretary sets. If everything else is equal, the Secretary must prefer projects with greater industry financial contributions.