NewMexicoisspending$225milliontodevelopacommercialspace-port.Ofthat,$100millionwillbeprovidedbythestateforroading,runwayconstruction,launchpadsandotherinfrastructure.Thestateishopingthebalanceofthefundingrequiredwillcomefromamixoflocalandfederalfunds.
"Supportforthespaceporthadbeenincreasingforsometime,buttheefforttoactuallybreakgroundkickedontheafterburnerswhenRichardBransonheldapressconferencewithGovernorBillRichardsonandotherstateofficialsinDecember2005.TogethertheyannouncedthatVirginGalacticwouldmakethespaceportitshomebasewhenitwascompleted,perhapsassoonas2009.ForBransonitwasano-brainer;aftercommitting$120milliontodevelopingandbuildinghisfleetofSpaceShipTwosandmotherships,hewasn'tabouttopassupanopportunitytoletsomeoneelsepickupthetabonapurpose-builtspaceport,especiallysinceitwouldbebuilttoVirgin'sspecifications.ForNewMexico,theadvantagesweren'tquiteasclearcut.Infact,itwasa$225milliongamblethatVirginGalacticwouldnotonlygetoffthegroundbutprovetobeacommercialsuccess.Evenmore,thatothercommerciallaunchcompanieswouldfollow.Butthestatewasn'toperatingcompletelyinthedark.IthadcommissionedstudiesfromspaceanalystfirmFutronCorporationandNewMexicoStateUniversitythatconcludedthatthestatehadalottogainfromathrivingspaceport.AccordingtoFutron'sbestestimates,NewMexicocouldexpecttorealize$460millioninannualeconomicactivityfromthespaceportby2015.Thatmoneywouldcomenotonlyfromspacelaunches(morethantwohundredayearbythen,accordingtoFutron),butalsofromincreasedspendingbytouristsvisitingtheareaandbyspectatorsflockingtoeventssuchastheXPRIZECupandRocketRacingleagueraces.TheNewMexicoStateUniversitystudywasequallybullish,concludingthatthestatecouldsee$991.45millionto$1.2billioninaccumulatedeconomicimpactinthespaceport'sfifthyearofoperation,whichwouldincludeupto$357.21millioninearningsandsupport2,871jobs."
—MichaelBelfiore
"WemayevenbeabletoallowthosealienswholandedhereatRoswellfiftyyearsagointheirUFOachancetogohome."
—RichardBransonatthepressconferenceannouncingVirginGalactic'sagreementtousetheNewMexicospaceport