An article in an El Paso alternative newspaper, Newspaper Tree, describes a boom taking place in Las Cruces, NM. What’s causing the boom? It turns out that retirees are flocking to the city as a low-cost alternative to locales in Arizona and Florida, although writer Jeff Berg had this to say:
Las Cruces ‘boom’ can only be equated with the retirees, as it has not much else to offer, unless the planned spaceport actually takes off … but one should consider what kind of growth that will offer.
Hmmm… what kind of growth would a spaceport offer? And why would it be viewed negatively, as the tone of the passage suggests? Perhaps the author is confusing Spaceport America with Mos Eisley.
Well, there are the negative environmenal consequences that more tourists would bring.
What growth would it offer? Well, maybe “space” themed resorts and museums for both the relative few people actually flying and the family who visit with them, or just the curious who want to watch launches. Maybe another space camp? I don’t know how practical any of those things may or may not be for the area, but those are potential growth areas.
Hey, Mojave really does have a spaceport bar (at least they have a beer & wine license):
and click on businesses…
Whoops, the link didn’t come through- try clicking on my name in this comment.
My comment implies that as with all playlands for the wealthy, that there will be a brief temporary boom (if this foolish idea ever does take place) for some construction and design personal, and then while the zillionaires take their flights of fancy (although one wonders why a zillionaire would want to come to Middle of Nowhere, New Mexico to go on a flight, when there seem to be so many other ‘exotic’ spaceport sites), that it will end up being service jobs for 90% or so of the other people that take the trips. Gosh, serve martinis to billionaires? Where do I sign up!!