Spaceport America Provides Update to City Council

Las Cruces City Councilors received an update Monday from Spaceport America, the world's first purpose-built space hub located in Sierra County, approximately 50 miles north of Las Cruces.

The update, held during a City Council Work Session on July 22, 2024, included presentation to Council of the 2023 Annual Report from Spaceport America along with an Economic Impact Report from August 2023. No votes were taken during the work session.

Scott McLaughlin, Executive Director of Spaceport America, led the presentation and discussed the concept of "Space Valley," the region between Los Alamos, N.M., and El Paso, Texas, that incorporates a unique and complete aerospace ecosystem. The region of Space Valley includes Los Alamos National Laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, the US Air Force Research laboratory, the U.S. Space Force Space Rapid Capabilities Office, Spaceport America, White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss.

The regional also includes major research universities: the University of New Mexico, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, New Mexico State University and the University of Texas-El Paso.

McLaughlin explained that those combined assets, working together, would be transformational for the region and could benefit from the $1.8 trillion that's estimated to be spent on space exploration and development by 2035. The space sector contributed $131 billion to the United States' Gross Domestic Product in 2022.

McLaughlin noted that the number of orbital space launches worldwide has increased exponentially since 2023 with most of them from private corporations.

Virgin Galactic, a major tenant at Spaceport America, is anticipating the completion of two new spaceships with the capability of launching 125 spaceflights per year - some passenger flights and some with payloads. McLaughlin anticipates the Spaceport hosting 600 space flight participants a year with each paying customer being accompanied by an average of 20 friends and family. Those numbers would contribute to local economies by paying for hotel rooms, meals and entertainment while in southern New Mexico.

McLaughlin said Spaceport America is still attracting new tenants and new clients that utilize the vast campus and its unique advantages.

Also, during the Work Session, Councilors were briefed on the launch of the City's Strategic Plan Public Dashboard, a web-based platform that provides an interactive snapshot showcasing progress toward strategic goals. The dashboard showcases progress in strategic themes such as Community Prosperity, Capital Improvements and Infrastructure, and Environmental Sustainability.

Designed for quick and easy understanding, the Public Dashboard provides a convenient way for City Council, and the community, to see the city's goals and the progress made toward achieving them. The dashboard offers status updates for nearly 500 related actions from the City's overarching policy document, Elevate Las Cruces Comprehensive Plan. Updates are presented through detailed narratives from City staff, progress percentages, and color-coded statuses providing a comprehensive picture of progress toward the community's vision.

The Strategic Plan Public Dashboard is available on the City's Transparency Page.

Prior to the Work Session, the Tax Increment Development District Board received an update from Economic Development Deputy Director Chris Faivre.

Faivre said a notable increase in revenue for the TIDD since 2019 can be attributed, in part, to changes in how the gross receipts taxes are collected in New Mexico. Revenue for the TIDD increased from $909,359 in fiscal year 2019 to $6,421,799 in FY24.

Currently, there are several ongoing projects within the TIDD including the installation of downtown security cameras, the redesign of Campo Street, enhancements to the atrium and security cameras at the Museum of Nature and Science and the Museum of Art, the repair of the La Placita Mosaic, the renovation of the Amador Hotel, and the addition of shade structures to the Main Street Callicitas.

Projects added for FY25 include continued feasibility planning for the initial phase of renovations and repairs at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library as outlined in the library's master plan, restoration of the Branigan Cultural Center, and the proposed redesign of the portion of Alameda Boulevard between Picacho Avenue and Main Street.

The July 22 Work Session and TIDD Board Meeting can both be seen on the City's YouTube channel. Las Cruces City Council will next meet in regular session on Aug. 5, 2024.

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