Newsletters

ROCKETS IN THE DESERT

Rocket Racing LeagueŽ Announces World Headquarters in Las Cruces, New Mexico



As part of the Rocket Racing LeagueŽ's mission to encourage the development of private spaceflight, it has announced that it will locate the League's world headquarters in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The partnership between the city and the RRL will involve the building of 10 X-Racer hangars at Las Cruces International Airport, creation of a 50,000-square-foot office to support League operations and the donation of approximately 12 acres of land.

"As the future home of Rocket Racing LeagueŽ we look forward to welcoming the hundreds of thousands of people who will come to New Mexico to enjoy NASCAR in the sky," says Governor Bill Richardson.

A funding package is being made available to help in infrastructure development, including an RRL-specific taxi lane off one side of the airport. Depending on architectural approvals, construction is scheduled to begin in the next 60 to 90 days. Upwards of 200 employees will staff the League's headquarters with 10 hangars on site to support 10 teams of X-Racer competitors.

"The Rocket Racing LeagueŽ is proud to call New Mexico its home," said Granger Whitelaw, Chief Executive Officer of the Rocket Racing LeagueŽ. "This partnership will not only serve as a launch pad for economic growth, but for a future where children are drawn to science by the roar of rocket planes."

Based on a recent report done by Futron Corporation, an independent aerospace and technology consulting group, it is estimated that the cumulative Rocket Racing LeagueŽ spending in the State of New Mexico could range from $15 to $30 million during the 2006-2010 timeframe. These expenditures would cover personnel, facilities leases, services, and local purchases of hardware and software.

"This announcement means new good jobs for Southern New Mexico," stated Las Cruces Mayor Bill Mattiace. "We are very proud that the City of Las Cruces played a crucial role in attracting Rocket Racing LeagueŽ. It proves that our local incentives combined with the state incentives are creating the right business atmosphere for companies."

The New Mexico legislature has also recently approved a 3-year, $100 million commitment for development of the Southwest Regional Spaceport to be located 45 miles north of Las Cruces. The spaceport puts New Mexico at the center of a new breed of industries, including zero-gravity research, new sources of energy and space tourism. Companies such as Virgin Galactic, Up Aerospace and Starchaser Industries have already announced facilities and activities at the new Spaceport.

"The cooperation between the state and local governments was essential to this deal," stated Jim Colson, President & CEO of the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership. "The Rocket Racing LeagueŽ is a great addition to the new space industry we are building here in New Mexico."