Rice: Brevard facing big losses, but can recover

This just in from reporter Keyonna Summers

Brevard Workforce President Lisa Rice opened the program by welcoming attendees on what she calls an "economic and workforce development journey."

"We're going to bring back jobs and a whole new economy for Brevard County," she said. "And I believe with the intelligence in this room we can absolutely do that and we can do it quickly,"

According to Rice, the anticipated layoffs of 6,000 to 9,000 workers at Kennedy Space Center after the shuttle program ends could translate into as many as 14,000 job losses due to a "ripple effect" that affects other industries.

"These impacts are obviously going to be reaching beyond Brevard so that's why this is all about regional innovation," she said. "What are we doing to make our economy a place where they can stay?"