Consideration of NASA Glenn Research Center as Potential Home for NASA’s Central Operations 

Dear Vice President Vance and Administrator Nominee Isaacman: 

As elected and economic development leaders in Northeast Ohio, we write to express our strong support for considering NASA Glenn Research Center as a potential home for NASA’s central operations. Ohio’s deep aerospace legacy—from the Wright Brothers to Neil Armstrong and John Glenn—continues to drive our state’s leadership in space exploration and innovation. 

NASA Glenn Research Center has played a critical role in nearly every major NASA mission, with unmatched expertise in propulsion, power systems, communications, and advanced materials. Glenn’s leadership in developing technologies for deep space exploration, long-duration space travel, and aerospace advancements makes Cleveland a natural choice for an expanded NASA leadership role. 

Advantages for NASA’s Future 

Our region offers several compelling advantages for NASA’s long-term success: 

• Thriving Aerospace Ecosystem: Ohio is home to over 170 NASA suppliers and is the largest supplier to both Boeing and Airbus. The state’s well-established aerospace network fosters cutting-edge research and manufacturing in advanced propulsion, hypersonics, and additive manufacturing. 

• Strategic Location: Northeast Ohio’s central position within America’s aerospace corridor provides seamless access to other NASA centers, major aerospace firms, and leading research universities. 

Skilled Workforce: The region boasts a deep pool of aerospace and engineering talent, supported by world-class educational institutions that continually produce top-tier STEM graduates. 

• Cost-Effective Operations: Cleveland offers significantly lower operating costs than other major metropolitan areas, allowing NASA to allocate more resources toward critical research and innovation. 

• Advanced Testing Facilities: The Armstrong Test Facility at NASA Glenn includes the world’s largest thermal vacuum chamber and the most powerful spacecraft testing equipment, uniquely positioning it to support NASA’s next-generation exploration missions. 

• Defense Collaboration: Proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base—home to the Air Force Research Laboratory, National Air & Space Intelligence Center, and National Space Intelligence Center—creates opportunities for enhanced synergy between NASA and national security initiatives. 

By further leveraging NASA Glenn Research Center’s unique capabilities, we can ensure that America’s space agency remains at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological advancement. As we often say, “The road to the Moon and Mars runs through Ohio.” 

We respectfully urge you to consider the immense advantages of strengthening NASA’s presence in Cleveland as you shape the future of space exploration. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Sincerely, 

The NASA Northeast Ohio Elected Officials and Economic Development Leaders 

Sam Alai, Mayor, City of Broadview Heights
Sam Alonso, Mayor, City of Reminderville
Ron Antal, Mayor, Village of Boston Heights
Larry Antoskiewicz, Mayor, City of North Royalton
Jeffrey L. Anzevino, Mayor, City of Hudson
Jack M. Bacci, Mayor, Village of Cuyahoga Heights
Richard Bain, Mayor, City of Pepper Pike
Ann Womer Benjamin, Mayor, City of Aurora
Keith Ari Benjamin, Mayor, Village of Bratenahl
Justin Berns, Mayor, City of Beachwood
Anthony Biasiotta, Mayor, City of Seven Hills
Annette M. Blackwell, Mayor, City of Maple Heights
Pamela Bobst, Mayor, City of Rocky River
Brenda T. Bodnar, Mayor, Mayfield Village
Jack Bradley, Mayor, City of Lorain
Michael Dylan Brennan, Mayor, City of University Heights
Sam Britton, Mayor, Village of Madison
Glenn Broska, Mayor, City of Streetsboro
Kevin Brubaker, Mayor, City of Elyria
Chuck Brunello, Jr., Mayor, City of Highland Heights
Patrick Cadle, Mayor, Village of Newcomerstown
Matthew J. Castelli, Mayor, City of Middleburg Heights
Mark A. Cegelka, Mayor, Village of Glenwillow
Dennis Clough, Mayor, City of Westlake
Richard Cole, Jr., Mayor, Village of Lakemore
Kevin Corcoran, Mayor, City of North Ridgeville
Joel Daly, Mayor, City of New Philadelphia
Tim DeGeeter, Mayor, City of Parma
Anthony DiCicco, Mayor, City of Mayfield Heights
Wes Dingus, Mayor, Village of Butler
Therese Dunphy, Mayor, Village of Silver Lake
Pat Fallot, Mayor, City of Louisville
Joseph A. Gales, Mayor, Village of Monroeville
Marie Gallo, Mayor, City of Parma Heights
Leslie Gambosi-McCoy, Mayor, Village of Middlefield
Meghan George, Mayor, City of Lakewood
Christopher Grau, Mayor, City of Chardon
James P. Graven, Mayor, City of Olmsted Falls
Shane Gunnoe, Mayor, City of Dover
Dennis Hanwell, Mayor, City of Medina
Benjamin I. Holbert, Mayor, Village of Woodmere
Kirsten Holzheimer Gail, Mayor, City of Euclid
Nicole Dailey Jones, Mayor, City of North Olmsted
Gary Kincannon, Mayor, Village of LaGrange
Daryl Kingston, Mayor, City of Brecksville
Judson A. Kline, Mayor, Orange Village
Don Kolograf, Mayor, Village of Walton Hills
Paul Koomar, Mayor, City of Bay Village
Edward H. Kraus, Mayor, City of Solan
Gregory P. Kurtz, Mayor, City of Independence
Robin L. Laubaugh, Mayor, City of Wadsworth
Shammas Malik, Mayor, City of Akron
Timothy S. Manross, Mayor, Village of Fairport Harbor
Bud McDaniel, Mayor, Village of Clinton
Matt Miller, Mayor, City of Ashland
Nicki Molnar, Mayor, City of Macedonia
Deborah L. Neale, Mayor, Village of Lakeline
Edward A. Orcutt, Mayor, City of Brook Park
Thomas P. Perciak, Mayor, City of Strongsville
Jodie A. Perry, Mayor, City of Mansfield
Mike Procuk, Mayor, Village of Brooklyn Heights
Robert J. Reynolds, Mayor, City of Wooster
Bill Schneider, Mayor, City of Fairview Park
Hans Schneider, Mayor, Village of Wellington
Joe Schultz, Mayor, City of Canal Fulton
Brad Sellers, Mayor, City of Warrensville Heights
Kahlil Seren, Mayor, City of Cleveland Heights
William K. Sherer, II, Mayor, City of Canton
Mark Spaetzel, Mayor, City of Avon Lake
Ethan Spencer, Mayor, Village of Moreland Hills
Kim A. Thomas, Mayor, City of Richmond Heights
Brian Titus, Mayor, North Perry Village
William A. Tomko, Mayor, Village of Chagrin Falls
J. Monty Trapp, Mayor, City of Huron
Ron Van Kirk, Mayor, City of Brooklyn
Michael J. Vanna, Mayor, City of Willowick
Don Walters, Mayor, City of Cuyahoga Falls
Patrick A. Ward, Mayor, City of Lyndhurst
David E. Weiss, Mayor, City of Shaker Heights
Georgine Welo, Mayor, City of South Euclid
Michael Wheeler, Mayor, Village of Richfield
Sabrina Christian-Bennett, Vice President, Portage County Board of Commissioners
Yvonne M. Conwell, Vice President, Cuyahoga County Council
Mitch Pace, Commissioner, Tuscarawas County
Colleen M. Swedyk, Vice President, Medina County Board of Commissioners
Mike Tinlin, President, Portage County Board of Commissioners
Tony Vero, Commissioner, Richland County
Kristin Zemis, Commissioner, Tuscarawas County
Mark Casselberry, Councilman, Cuyahoga County Council
Laura Cochran, Councilman, Village of Lakemore
Nicki Coontz, Councilman, Village of Lakemore
Ed Eitner, Councilman, Village of Lakemore
Michael Gallagher, Councilman, Cuyahoga County Council
Pernel Jones, Jr., Councilman, Cuyahoga County Council
Patrick Kelly, Councilman, Cuyahoga County Council
David A. Licate, Councilman, Summit County
Sam Ray, Councilman, Village of Lakemore
Robert E. Schleper, Jr., Councilman, Cuyahoga County Council
Chet Simmons, Councilman, City of Medina
Jon Strittmatter, Councilman, Village of Lakemore
Martin J. Sweeney, Councilman, Cuyahoga County Council
Heather Anderson, Councilwoman, Village of Lakemore
Sunny M. Simon, Councilwoman, Cuyahoga County Council
Eric Wobser, CEO, Greater Sandusky Partnership
Ellen Heinz, CEO and President, Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development
Marla Akridge, Executive Director, Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation
Cameo Carey, Director, Ashland Area Economic Development
Lisa Hutson, Director, ONE Lorain County
Maribeth Burns, President, Wayne Economic Development Board
Sue Myers, Board Member, Medina County Economic Development Corporation Board
Dennis Neate, Board Member, Medina County Economic Development Corporation Board
Tom O’Connell, Board Member, Medina County Economic Development Corporation Board
Mark Priebe, Board Member, Medina County Economic Development Corporation Board
Don Rife, Board Member, Medina County Economic Development Corporation Board
Becky Shrock, Board Member, Medina County Economic Development Corporation Board
Jeff Stevenson, Board Member, Medina County Economic Development Corporation Board
Hal Wagoner, Board Member, Medina County Economic Development Corporation Board
Ben Young, Board Member, Medina County Economic Development Corporation Board
Grant Aungst, Community and Economic Development Director, City of Brunswick
Nico Samaniego, Director of Business Development, Greater Sandusky Partnership
Chelsey Kovar, Director of Economic & Community Development, City of Richmond Heights
Charles Bichara, Director of Economic Development, City of Middleburg Heights
Christopher Hardesty, Director of Economic Development, City of Canton
Suzie Graham Moore, Director of Economic Development, City of Akron
Patrick Grogan-Myers, Director of Planning and Development, City of Euclid
Jessica Gribben, Economic & Community Development Director, Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development
Kelly Conrad, Economic Development Administrator, City of Mentor
Catherine Bieterman, Economic Development Director, City of Beachwood
Susan Crotty, CEcD, Economic Development Director, City of Painesville
Diane Miller Dawson, Economic Development Director, City of Akron
Nicole S. Harrison, Economic Development Director, City of Warrensville Heights
Kimberly Marshall, Economic Development Director, City of Medina
Dennis L. West, Economic Development Director, City of Ravenna
Michelle Boczek, Economic Development Manager, City of Westlake
John Marquart, Economic Development Manager, Mayfield Village
Janice Tubbs, Assistant Director, Economic Development, City of Garfield Heights
Sean Vollman, Deputy Director of Economic Development, City of Akron
Maribeth Burns, President, Wayne Economic Development Board
Bradford R. Ehrhart, President, Portage Development Board
Aaron H. Harrison, President, Medina County Board of Commissioners
Jeff Dafler, President & CEO, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce
Kimm Leininger, President & CEO, Geauga Growth Partnership
Steve Millard, President & CEO, Greater Akron Chamber
Michael Deemer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Downtown Cleveland
Anthony Galls, President/CEO, Lorain County Chamber
Bethany Dentler, Executive Director, Medina County Economic Development Corporation
Tiffany McClelland, Executive Director, Lorain Port and Finance Authority
Patrick T. Mohorcic, Executive Director, Lake Development Authority
Sarah Ross, Executive Director, Huron County Growth Partnership
Kenneth J. Filipiak, City Manager, City of Mentor
Doug L. Lewis, City Manager, City of Painesville
Andrew Turowski, City Manager, City of Louisville
Dick Brady, Ex-officio Mayor, City of Sandusky
Dave Greenspan, Special Projects Coordinator/Manager, Lorain County
Tracy Sayers, Village Administrator, Village of Lakemore
John A. McLaughlin, VP of Business Development, Stark Economic Development Board