Astroport America (proposal)
A world leader in sustainable Astronomical Research, Development and Tourism for New Mexico.

New Mexico is the future of Space in America. Hidalgo County's Astroport America will compliment Sierra County's Spaceport America and help spread the benefits of State funding and investment throughout the State.

Astroport America is ideally suited for the natural advantages of Hidalgo County and will bring sustainable employment and environmentally friendly green growth to the area.

Astroport America is the future of Astronomy and New Mexico will be the leader.
Registration of interested individuals, groups and businesses is currently underway for a Hidalgo County lobby group to bring this concept to a reality. The New Mexico / Arizona region is well know for its Astronomical benefits and Hidalgo County offers the best setting for the new Astroport America.

What will the County have to do? Minimal investment and promotion can create sustainable employment and development in this remote part of New Mexico. Hidalgo County will have to actively encourage and enforce the reduction of wasteful light pollution. It will need to encourage high speed Internet and mobile accessibility for all locations of the county. Officials should cooperate and support development that creates an infrastructure of  excellence for astronomical academic Research and Tourism.

Together we can be a global leader. Together we can prosper.

 Count me in!

[Contact Form]

lobby@AstroportAmerica.com

Yes, I want to see Hidalgo County become the new Astroport America.
Natural benefits:
< Hidalgo County offers dark skies already with minimal light pollution due to its relatively small population and minimal development in a rural setting. Telescopes need to be away from the city lights.
< Hidalgo County offers cloud free skies due to its natural location surrounded by deserts and protected from prevailing Pacific moisture. It is difficult to find a more appropriate location.
< Hidalgo County is already elevated offering great transparency in the sky. At over 4000 feet ASL, the viewing and outdoor temperatures are ideal even from ground level.
< Hidalgo County offers an important southern location. At 32ºN +/- many extraordinary southern hemisphere objects are visible that cannot be studied further north.
< Hidalgo County is easily accessible by Interstate Freeway. It also has rail access for heavy machinery. Lordsburg's paved runway offers general aviation access, with additional private local airports available. As part of mainland America it offers a unique experience to families and tourist while remaining safely in the USA with an active Homeland Security presence.
< Hidalgo County already has the local expertise to make the vision a reality. Come round to Pluto Park, near Animas, and take a real look at modern Internet-controlled robotic telescopes already in action. Here you will also see Clyde Tombaugh's personal telescope sitting proudly on display in the heart of Hidalgo County. This telescope represents a piece of astronomical history, being used for study by the discoverer of Pluto.
< Hidalgo County, and its population, would economically benefit from sustainable development. New Mexico has another opportunity to exploit a natural resource being under utilized as it did to the White Sands Missile Range area. Similar to the current and ongoing Spaceport America investment [link] in New Mexico's Sierra County, Astroport America belongs in Hidalgo County. Spread the benefits of State taxes rurally and enhance the whole State for our future.
< Neighboring and geographically isolated Portal in Arizona's Cochise County is already a local center of astronomy, including Arizona Sky Village (ASV) -an astronomical residential development. Hidalgo County would be best to implement some of its sensible policies and in return adopt and protect this isolated resource under the Astroport banner. Portal is an asset, and would not drain resources from New Mexico.
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