The New Mexico Space Authority says the state spaceport will cost about $27 million less than earlier estimates. The $198 million Spaceport America was originally slated to cost $225 million, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported.
The newspaper said the estimate was announced just weeks before Dona Ana County voters will decide on a referendum to impose a one-quarter of 1 percent gross receipts tax to help build the spaceport. Similar referendums are being considered in Sierra and Otero counties.
The facility, which could open in late 2009 or early 2010, is designed to serve the commercial space industry and could bring millions of dollars to the area, the newspaper said.
