Q: WHERE WILL FUNDING COME FROM?
A: The New Mexico legislature has already committed $115 million to Spaceport AmericaA: Since economic impact will be primarily in the southern part of the state, a reasonable local match is justified
A: This is economic development that benefits an immediate area, and requires local financial investment from residents that stand to benefit from the project
A: Private sector revenues will be generated by user fees, leases and from visitors
Q: CAN’T THE PRIVATE SECTOR PAY FOR THE SPACEPORT?
A: Spaceport America isn’t just for one single client. Like a municipal airport, it will collect user fees from many private companiesA: Infrastructure is needed to attract quality economic development – trucking companies need roads, high-tech companies need broadband, airlines need airports, etc.
A: The private companies will pay development costs for the spacecraft, which runs in the hundreds of millions of dollarsQ: WHAT WILL THE SPACEPORT BE USED FOR?
A: The Spaceport is designed to accommodate all types of commercial space business, including private satellites and commercial payloadsA: NASA will rely more upon the private sector to provide heavy-lifting services to support the space station and future space missions. Spaceport America is an ideal launch location for these payloads
A: In addition to commercial payloads, the Spaceport can also serve as a hub for the development of the space tourism industry
Q: WILL OTHER COMMUNITIES HELP WITH COSTS?
A: Both Doña Ana & Otero County will be putting a similar GRT initiative on their ballots
A: Sierra County is in a leading position as we stand to gain job.
A: Community support is vital to attracting leading-edge technology companies. Already, we’ve secured commitments from Virgin Galactic, Rocket Racing League and Starchaser Industries - with many more to come
Q: WILL THIS INITIATIVE HELP OUR COUNTY’S NEEDS?
A: By creating a new industry and thousands of new jobs, the Spaceport will generate millions of dollars in new tax revenue that will be used to improve infrastructure throughout the county – ALL BY JUST INCREASING TAXES ONLY ONE CENT FOR EVERY FOUR TAXABLE DOLLARS YOU SPEND
A: Up to 25 percent of the proposed GRT increase will fund high-technology programs and education in local schools
A: By attracting better, higher-paying jobs to the area, we increase the amount of tax revenue collected, and more public projects receive funding
A: The influx of new tax revenue will go toward better roads, new schools, land fill improvements, and other publicly funded improvements
Q: CAN WE REALLY BUILD A SPACEPORT?
A: The proposed site for the Spaceport has unique advantages that can’t be found anywhere else in the United States. That’s why White Sands Missile Range has been so successful!A: The Spaceport Authority must meet three conditions before any money can be spent on construction:
1) The Spaceport must receive its FAA license
2) An anchor tenant, such as Virgin Galactic, must sign a legal lease
3) A bona-fide cost estimate shows the project will cost $225 million, of which the State of NM will pay $115 million
By meeting these conditions, Spaceport America is given the best possible chance for success.
A: The costs of building the Spaceport are justified by the prospect of 2,300 new jobs and $300 million in new annual revenue within five years of operation
