Former Economic Development Secretary to Ensure Ambitious Schedule for Spaceport America
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson today announced that he has appointed Rick Homans to become Executive Director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. Homans will leave his position as the Governor’s Secretary of Economic Development at the end of the month to oversee construction of Spaceport America, which is on a tight timeline to become operational by late 2009 or early 2010.
"With the positive vote from Dona Ana County voters, the spaceport has a green light to move forward," said Governor 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."
Governor Richardson also praised the job Homans has done as Economic Development Secretary.
"Secretary Homans helped develop the core policies for my Administration, and he has led the successful effort to turn around the state’s economy," Governor Richardson said. "I have admired his bold ideas, work ethic, and personal integrity. I expect Rick to bring the same passion to developing the Spaceport that he brought to the Economic Development Department.”
Homans requested the change so that he can focus full time on three immediate tasks:
• Final design and engineering and preparation of construction bid documents to break ground in early 2008
• Licensing of Spaceport America by the Federal Aviation Administration by early 2008, including the EIS process
• Overseeing a national search for a permanent executive director who has the necessary engineering and space-related qualifications to manage the complex operations of the spaceport when it becomes operational.
"I have loved every day of being Secretary of Economic Development, and I believe my department has changed the economic landscape of New Mexico," Homans said. "We’ve become competitive, our statistics are among the best in the nation, and there’s a confidence and excitement around the state that wasn’t there four years ago. I’m honored to have been a key part of team that has moved New Mexico forward, and I am certain my efforts with the spaceport will help to continue our economic momentum."
Governor Richardson is interviewing possible replacements for Homans and expects to announce a successor soon.
As Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, Rick Homans’s accomplishments include:
• Recruiting Southwest Cheese, Merillat, Tempur-Pedic, Monarch Litho and Tesla Motors to New Mexico. Homans also played an instrumental role in convincing Advent Solar to remain in New Mexico.
• The development of Spaceport America, and recruiting Virgin Galactic to locate their world headquarters in New Mexico. Homans also recruited the X-Prize Cup, Rocket Racing League, Starchaser, and UP Aerospace to Spaceport America.
• Implementing major new initiatives such as the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership, the Certified Community Initiative, and overseeing the expansion of the New Mexico MainStreet program from 17 to 27 communities.
• The creation of the New Mexico-Chihuahua Commission, which successfully lobbied the federal government to lengthen the border crossing hours at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry.
• New Mexico’s growing film industry has brought thousands of jobs and pumped millions of dollars into the state’s economy. In the last year alone, 17 major feature films and television projects were shot in New Mexico, with an economic impact of $376 million dollars.
New Mexico is currently ranked 5th in the nation for personal income growth, and the state’s unemployment rate is 3.5 % - the lowest rate since the tracking system began in 1976.
The state has added 16,300 jobs over the last year, and ranks 17th in the country for job growth. New Mexico has also experienced a resurgence in manufacturing jobs, defying a national trend.
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