"I want to thank Virgin Galactic for partnering with us
to create a whole new industry that is going to transform the
economy of Southern New Mexico - creating thousands of jobs,
generating money for education, boosting tourism and attracting
other companies and economic opportunities to the
area."
Source: Governor Bill Richardson, following the
signing of a 20-year lease with the state of New Mexico
by British billionaire Richard Branson. The agreement paves
the way for construction of the first US
spaceport. Virgin Galactic expects to break ground on the
facility by April, with completion slated for sometime in
2010.