Former Economic Development Secretary To Ensure Ambitious Schedule

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson recently announced the appointment of Rick Homans as executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority to ensure the program's ambitious schedule, as reported on the Spaceport America Web site.

Homans leaves his position as Secretary of Economic Development at the end of the month to oversee a tight timeline for construction of Spaceport America so it will be operational by late 2009 or 2010.

Voters in Doña Ana County recently approved a quarter-cent increase in the local sales tax to help pay for construction of the spaceport, where private companies will launch rockets with commercial payloads — and eventually paying passengers — into sub-orbit, reported ANN.

"With the positive vote from Doña Ana County voters, the spaceport has a green light to move forward," said Richardson. "Secretary Homans is the right person to transition this project from concept to reality because he has driven this project from day one. I thank him for taking on this very demanding and very necessary assignment."

Homans three immediate tasks, report the New Mexico Business Weekly, are to:

• Oversee final design, engineering, and preparation of construction bid documents for the spaceport
• Usher Spaceport America through licensing by the FAA
• Lead a national search for a permanent executive director for the facility

FMI: www.spaceportamerica.com, www.newmexico.gov