In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the economic impact of the spaceport in New Mexico, highlighting both achievements and ongoing challenges. The meeting featured a presentation by a representative from the spaceport, who reported that in 2022, the facility generated 811 jobs and contributed $60 million in new money to the local economy. Additionally, the spaceport attracted approximately 9,000 visitor nights and saw $12 million in construction investments.

Despite these positive figures, concerns were raised by local council members regarding the distribution of benefits to the city of Las Cruces and surrounding areas. Councilor Flores expressed the need for a detailed breakdown of how many jobs were filled by local residents, emphasizing the importance of understanding the direct benefits to the community. The representative acknowledged the limitations of the current data and committed to improving the accuracy of future reports.

The meeting also addressed the need for collaboration among various stakeholders to enhance New Mexico's business environment, which has been criticized for its stagnant population growth and perceived lack of business friendliness. The representative noted that efforts to develop the spaceport should involve contributions from all regions, not just Albuquerque and Las Cruces.

Looking ahead, the spaceport plans to host an open house event on September 8, featuring educational programs and opportunities for the public to engage with Virgin Galactic and view the spacecraft. The representative concluded by assuring attendees that annual economic impact reports will continue to be produced, aiming to provide clearer insights into the benefits of the spaceport for local communities.

Overall, while the spaceport has made strides in economic contributions, local leaders are calling for more transparency and accountability to ensure that the benefits are equitably shared among residents.