Homestead is promoting a proposed South Dade aerospace and defense corridor as aerospace-related businesses establish or prepare to establish operations at the city’s Park of Commerce.


Miami Today reported Oct. 28 that Mayor Steven Losner said Florida City, Homestead, Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest have independently supported the corridor concept, which would largely follow U.S. 1. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee has helped coordinate the regional initiative, Losner said.


Pinecrest’s council approved a resolution supporting the corridor on Oct. 13. Palmetto Bay’s Oct. 5 council agenda also included a resolution supporting it.


Companies expand in Homestead


Losner told Miami Today that two aerospace- or aviation-related businesses are operating or preparing to operate at Homestead’s Park of Commerce. Texas-based AST SpaceMobile has expanded satellite manufacturing in Homestead. Miami-based Global Engine Stands, which makes equipment used to transport and store aircraft engines, signed a 10-year lease for 35,000 square feet there.


Losner said prospective companies have discussed bringing hundreds of jobs to the area. Those are early-stage discussions, not announced hiring commitments. He also said he was not aware of state or federal funding specifically tied to the spaceport designation.


What the spaceport designation means


Florida’s designation took effect July 1, 2024. State law includes certain former Homestead Air Force Base property within spaceport territory; the designation does not create a launch facility. Space Florida describes these territories as hubs for aerospace commerce and innovation.


Losner also told Miami Today that the Miami-Dade County School Board had designated an underused Homestead middle school for conversion into an aerospace technology magnet high school with capacity for 1,200 students. The report did not name the school or give a conversion timeline.


Sources: Miami Today, Oct. 28, 2026 — https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2026/10/28/homestead-leverages-spaceport-florida-designation/

Pinecrest Village Council, Oct. 13, 2026 — https://www.pinecrest-fl.gov/Government/Communications-Division/News/Council-Meeting-Summary-for-October-13-2026

Palmetto Bay Village Council, Oct. 5, 2026 — https://palmettobay.granicusideas.com/meetings/1694-regular-council/agenda_items/6abc063bf395e77024002881-14-dot-c-a-resolution-of-the-mayor-and-village-counci

Florida Statutes, §331.304 — https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0331.304

Space Florida — https://www.spaceflorida.gov/spaceport-system-territory