SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson worked with the Legislature to secure $33 million in immediate funding to proceed with Spaceport America final design and road construction, according to Rick Homans, Chairman of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority and Cabinet Secretary for Economic Development.

"The Legislature gave its unanimous support to move forward aggressively with the spaceport," Homans said. "They have given us the green light to put all systems "Go". With the support of this year's session we will be able to keep to our ambitious schedule to be operational by late 2009 or early 2010."

While the Legislature did not pass GRIP II, which contained $25 million toward Spaceport roads, Governor Richardson committed today to secure these funds in the special session that begins on Tuesday.

The Legislature provided the $33 million by removing a key condition that was put on the 100m of funds appropriated in the 2006 session. The conditions included the need to receive a site operator’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration -- which is not expected until the first quarter of 2008.

In order to receive the remaining $67 million, the New Mexico Spaceport Authority must be licensed by the FAA.