Sun-News report

LAS CRUCES - Spaceport America officials OK'd a reduced project budget Tuesday during a meeting in Truth or Consequences.

The New Mexico Spaceport Authority board approved a roughly $2 million reduction in spending, which will take the overall projection for the construction to about $209 million, said Spaceport Authority Director Rick Homans.

Homans said the reduction was needed because original estimates about new bond revenue were "off." He said the budget was adjusted to reflect that.

The new bonds, issued this year, were a result of extra bonding capacity from two sales taxes, in Doña Ana and Sierra counties, that are helping to pay for spaceport construction.

In addition, the board signed off on an operating budget for the coming year that's a 10-percent reduction from the current year, Homans said. The Spaceport Authority had initially considered a budget expansion, but didn't seek it after all, he said.

Homans said the proposed budget is about $1.1 million.

The board voted unanimously on both items.

The spaceport, located in southeastern Sierra County, is an under-construction launch site for commercial space vehicles.


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