Mayor Dana Ralph Appointed to Governor Ferguson’s New Space Council

KENT, WA - Kent Mayor Dana Ralph has been appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson to serve on the newly created Governor's Space Council, a 23-member public-private body that will advise the Governor on how Washington can remain competitive in the rapidly growing commercial space industry.

Governor Ferguson created the Council by executive order this week. Its members include leaders from commercial space, aerospace and advanced manufacturing, higher education, labor, state and local government, and research institutions. The Council will examine workforce and research needs, infrastructure and supply-chain capacity, barriers to industry growth and opportunities to strengthen Washington's position in the global space economy.

"I am honored that Governor Ferguson asked me to serve on the new Governor's Space Council, and I'm excited to bring the perspective of Kent and the Kent Valley to this important statewide conversation," Ralph said.

Kent's connection to the space industry stretches back more than 50 years, when Boeing engineers in Kent helped build the Lunar Roving Vehicles used during NASA's Apollo missions. Today, Kent Valley remains a major hub for aerospace, advanced manufacturing and space-related companies.

"Space and aerospace are part of Kent's DNA," Ralph said. "But we cannot simply be proud of our history. We must build on it. Other states and regions are competing aggressively for these companies, their investments and the great jobs they create."

The Governor's Space Council will assess Washington's competitive position, identify barriers and opportunities for growth, review workforce and education needs, assess infrastructure and supply-chain capacity, and explore the potential for Washington-based commercial launch capabilities.

The Kent Valley is home to 34,408 direct aerospace manufacturing jobs, about one-third of Washington's aerospace manufacturing workforce. When direct, indirect and induced economic activity is included, the industry supports nearly 56,000 jobs and generates $29.8 billion in total economic output. Those figures underscore the Kent Valley's importance not only to South King County, but to Washington's overall aerospace economy.

For Ralph, that work is directly connected to Kent's economic future.

"The Kent Valley is already one of the most significant aerospace and advanced manufacturing centers in the country," Ralph said. "Behind those numbers are thousands of good jobs, hundreds of businesses and generations of expertise that are incredibly difficult to replicate."

Ralph said Kent's role is to continue creating the conditions companies need to invest, expand and hire.

"That means investing in the basics, roads and freight mobility, water and sewer, reliable energy, industrial land and a workforce prepared for the jobs these companies are creating," Ralph said. "Those investments may not always make headlines, but they absolutely matter when a company is deciding where to make its next major investment."

The Council includes representatives from companies such as Stoke Space, Blue Origin, SpaceX, Amazon Leo, Starfish Space, Portal Space Systems and others, along with labor organizations, universities, researchers, legislators and local elected officials. Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and Redmond Mayor Angela Birney are among the local government representatives serving on the Council.

Ralph said collaboration between cities, the state and industry will be essential if Washington wants to retain existing aerospace and space companies while attracting new investment.

"We know Kent cannot do this alone," Ralph said. "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."

"I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves with Governor Ferguson, my fellow Council members, our legislators and industry leaders," Ralph added. "I want the companies that started here to be able to scale here, the companies looking for their next home to choose Washington, and the next generation of space innovation to be built right here in the Kent Valley and across our state."

About the Governor's Space Council

Governor Ferguson signed the executive order creating the Governor's Space Council at the Museum of Flight during the opening of Seattle Space Week. The Washington State Department of Commerce will provide staff support to the Council, which will develop recommendations for strengthening Washington's commercial space and aerospace sectors.