Leveraging economic development assets and resources will expand the value proposition for space industry firms in New Mexico
The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance and Spaceport America signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday, June 13, 2025, formalizing a new collaboration between the two organizations. This partnership will open up exciting opportunities to propel New Mexico’s position as a leader in space industry innovation and expansion.
“We are thrilled about teaming up with Spaceport America,” said Danielle Casey, President & CEO for AREA. “We look forward to leveraging our collective economic development expertise to target strategic job creation and capital investment in our region and across New Mexico. The commercial space industry is expanding rapidly, and this alliance ensures we will be at the forefront of this 21st-century industry.”
Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport, has seen great success since its 2010 founding. The spaceport enables aerospace companies to innovate and test technologies in rocket launches, space tourism, astronaut training, and more.
“Partnering with AREA gives a big boost to Spaceport America’s mission,” said Scott McLaughlin, Executive Director of Spaceport America. “This collaboration broadens our reach and helps grow New Mexico’s role as a leader in the commercial space sector, and for all of Space Valley.”
With its proximity to Spaceport America and dense population center, the greater Albuquerque region is well-positioned to capitalize on this partnership. The spaceport has already spawned many new economic development opportunities in the region and lends critical testing assets to companies expanding in the region for access to skilled workers for research and development, prototypying and at scale manufacturing operations. This alliance will enable more economic activity in R&D, manufacturing, and high-tech services.
Through this strategic alliance, the two organizations will collaborate on marketing, business development, and policies that enable the commercial space industry to thrive in the Albuquerque region. Both parties look forward to launching transformative aerospace projects that create good-paying jobs and fuel economic growth.
About AREA
The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead and execute strategies designed to grow and diversify the economic base of the greater Albuquerque region, creating a prosperous, diverse and inclusive economy and elevating the standard of living for all. AREA provides confidential assistance to businesses considering the area for expansion and new investment. Since its creation in 1960, AREA has recruited more than 250 companies and more than 35,000 jobs to the Albuquerque metro area. AREA also provides retention and expansion assistance to existing industry. For more information, visit ABQ.org.
Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. The FAA-licensed launch complex, situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico, has a rocket friendly environment of 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, low population density, a 12,000-foot by 200-foot runway, vertical launch complexes, and about 340 days of sunshine and low humidity.
Some of the most respected companies in the commercial space industry are tenants at Spaceport America: Virgin Galactic, HAPSMobile/ AeroVironment, UP Aerospace, Prismatic Ltd., Swift Engineering, Isotropic, and SpinLaunch. Additional customers Spaceport America partners with include the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, Venus Aerospace, and Precision AI.
Media Contact:
Spaceport America
Charlie Hurley
Public Information Officer
(575) 305-5257
media@spaceportamerica.com
