FYI the State of Alabama is planning to cut the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission's 2004 budget by 10% starting in Oct 1.
$338,618 - Amount given to center in 03
$304,756 - Planned amount for 04
($33,862) - FY03/04 difference
-10.00% - Percentage cut
It is my understanding that most of this money goes to scholarships. It is really a shame.
Then again the CEO of the center makes over $150,000+ a year plus $500 a month for his car.
Space & Rocket Center State Funding Cut by 10%
Moderator: Vincent
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carrier pigeon
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The guy's job won't be worth much if they can't keep the place open.
Also, if the center is losing money, then he isn't doing his job too well. If they guy could do help the center do better, then we wouldn't have to worry about this discussion, though I don't envy his position.
Also, if the center is losing money, then he isn't doing his job too well. If they guy could do help the center do better, then we wouldn't have to worry about this discussion, though I don't envy his position.
Ad astra per aspera.
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carrier pigeon
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Good article
This is part of an interview with the former IT manger at the Space & Rocket Center - note the last question.
http://www.computerworld.com/industryto ... 31,00.html
http://www.computerworld.com/industryto ... 31,00.html
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carrier pigeon
- Junior Camper
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- Joined: Thu Nov 21, 2002 11:51 pm
http://www.al.com/printer/printer.ssf?/ ... 271200.xml
Space Center sees '03 fiscal year loss of about $400K
Board optimistic as it OKs budget that includes 2% raise
09/11/03
By KENNETH KESNER
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
It appears the U.S. Space & Rocket Center will end a less-than-stellar budget year in September with a loss of about $400,000.
But Space Center board members Wednesday expressed some confidence by approving a budget for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, that includes a 2 percent raise for full-time employees and an increase in advertising.
The new budget predicts revenue of $24.72 million and expenses of about $23.74 million, for a projected profit of $980,000.
This year is expected to end with about $22.6 million in revenue and $23 million in expenses. Commissioners had originally budgeted for nearly $25 million in revenue and more than $24.6 million in expenses.
The failure of a program to bring fifth-graders from around the country to Space Camp, along with debt incurred by building the Saturn V rocket replica and other money problems, led to losses - almost $3 million in fiscal 2001 - layoffs and public questioning of whether the Space Center could remain open.
The center rebounded, however, and ended fiscal 2002 more than $600,000 in the black.
A faltering economy and travel worries brought on by the war in Iraq is blamed for an attendance drop in Space Camp's weeklong programs. Attendance in shorter programs, including parent/child camps, increased significantly, but those don't bring in as much money.
The new budget assumes that trend will continue. Plans for next year include increasing four-day programs from eight to 12 weeks and increasing the Space Camp advertising budget by $385,000 to $1.25 million.
Other budget assumptions include a 2 percent decrease in camp programs' revenue compared with 2003; a 5 percent decrease in museum earnings; and increases in royalty earnings from licensed Space Camps in Japan, Turkey and other countries.
The new budget also includes about $574,000 in capital improvements, including completing the second phase of improvements to the Space Camp Mission Center Complex and replacing an air conditioning unit.
Another $500,000 in improvements, including construction of an outdoor storage facility, will be delayed, said Space Center CEO Larry Capps.
Other expenses will continue to be watched closely. There are 10 fewer full-time workers in the new budget, Capps said, because that many employees plan to retire or otherwise leave. The Space Center has 154 full-time employees, down from 220 three years ago.
At least one other budget assumption - money the Space Center expected from the state - is in doubt because voters overwhelmingly rejected Gov. Bob Riley's $1.2 billion tax plan.
"We had $338,000 for this year; that's what we put in the budget for next year," said Capps.
He said the center may have to eliminate its Spotlight on Technology program or another camp program, if the state money disappears. Spotlight on Technology offers entire fourth- through sixth-grade classes and their teachers a five-day Space Camp program at a discounted rate.
Space Center board Chairman Mary Jane Caylor suggested directors may need to reconsider the budget during the first quarter of the new fiscal year.
Meanwhile, Caylor said she has not given up hope the Space Center will end this fiscal year in the black. There is a chance that some unbudgeted money will arrive this month from groups that hope to open licensed Space Camps.
"I'm not ready to concede that we have a deficit," she said. "I'm the eternal optimist, perhaps, but we still have Korea out there, and we still have California possibilities."
Space Center sees '03 fiscal year loss of about $400K
Board optimistic as it OKs budget that includes 2% raise
09/11/03
By KENNETH KESNER
Times Staff Writer [email protected]
It appears the U.S. Space & Rocket Center will end a less-than-stellar budget year in September with a loss of about $400,000.
But Space Center board members Wednesday expressed some confidence by approving a budget for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, that includes a 2 percent raise for full-time employees and an increase in advertising.
The new budget predicts revenue of $24.72 million and expenses of about $23.74 million, for a projected profit of $980,000.
This year is expected to end with about $22.6 million in revenue and $23 million in expenses. Commissioners had originally budgeted for nearly $25 million in revenue and more than $24.6 million in expenses.
The failure of a program to bring fifth-graders from around the country to Space Camp, along with debt incurred by building the Saturn V rocket replica and other money problems, led to losses - almost $3 million in fiscal 2001 - layoffs and public questioning of whether the Space Center could remain open.
The center rebounded, however, and ended fiscal 2002 more than $600,000 in the black.
A faltering economy and travel worries brought on by the war in Iraq is blamed for an attendance drop in Space Camp's weeklong programs. Attendance in shorter programs, including parent/child camps, increased significantly, but those don't bring in as much money.
The new budget assumes that trend will continue. Plans for next year include increasing four-day programs from eight to 12 weeks and increasing the Space Camp advertising budget by $385,000 to $1.25 million.
Other budget assumptions include a 2 percent decrease in camp programs' revenue compared with 2003; a 5 percent decrease in museum earnings; and increases in royalty earnings from licensed Space Camps in Japan, Turkey and other countries.
The new budget also includes about $574,000 in capital improvements, including completing the second phase of improvements to the Space Camp Mission Center Complex and replacing an air conditioning unit.
Another $500,000 in improvements, including construction of an outdoor storage facility, will be delayed, said Space Center CEO Larry Capps.
Other expenses will continue to be watched closely. There are 10 fewer full-time workers in the new budget, Capps said, because that many employees plan to retire or otherwise leave. The Space Center has 154 full-time employees, down from 220 three years ago.
At least one other budget assumption - money the Space Center expected from the state - is in doubt because voters overwhelmingly rejected Gov. Bob Riley's $1.2 billion tax plan.
"We had $338,000 for this year; that's what we put in the budget for next year," said Capps.
He said the center may have to eliminate its Spotlight on Technology program or another camp program, if the state money disappears. Spotlight on Technology offers entire fourth- through sixth-grade classes and their teachers a five-day Space Camp program at a discounted rate.
Space Center board Chairman Mary Jane Caylor suggested directors may need to reconsider the budget during the first quarter of the new fiscal year.
Meanwhile, Caylor said she has not given up hope the Space Center will end this fiscal year in the black. There is a chance that some unbudgeted money will arrive this month from groups that hope to open licensed Space Camps.
"I'm not ready to concede that we have a deficit," she said. "I'm the eternal optimist, perhaps, but we still have Korea out there, and we still have California possibilities."