Truth or Consequences Spaceport & Race Track? (Elephant Butte: rv parks, relocate)

[highdesertmutz]

The Spaceport, is for privitized space travel by who? With trips to 60 miles high, and, at a cost of, what is it? $250,000.00 each? And, what local businesses that are here now will benefit from the spaceport? If any? Will the Spacport rely on other businesses from out of town for support? Evidently, the taxpayers must have thought that ok'ing a tax would bring dollars and new jobs to T or C. Frankly speaking, I don't see any rocket scientists wandering around in T or C.
And, the new racetrack. I've heard that it's going to have a housing area, shops, mini-malls, golf course, plus an array of other services. Will this directly benefit T or C? Will it create jobs for locals, or, again, will they have the need to import jobs and manufacturing from other areas.
I have been around racetracks in my very much younger years, and racecar owners, drivers and mechanics alike will tell you, race cars prefer a cool to moderate climate. Not that Sierra County is not at all moderate, but it does get very, very hot here during summer months, and they must be planning to run races either very early in the day, or late evening, or, racing in the fall and winter when temps are cooler. I don't think race cars and drivers appreciate 100 degree heat, maybe I'm wrong?
Another point I'd like to bring up is, where are all of these construction workers and contractors going to be housed when both of these are being built? T or C has limited resources.

[dracul]

Interesting and practical points to ponder. I too view these prospective ventures with more than a little caution. They may eventually benefit the area or they may turn out to be red herrings...we shall see. Some form of development for the general region is inevitable, however, considering most of the rest of the southwest is already extensively built up. Where else is there to go?

[6/3]

I guess it's damn if you do and damn if you don't for T or C. If it doesn't grow then people complain of no stores or shopping and nothing to see and do etc. But if it grows from the Spaceport etc... then there's no where to house the new workers and traffic issues etc...

[highdesertmutz]

Well, dracul, you are probably a longtime resident. And it would be nice to see something come to T or C that is a big success for the population as a whole, that would be the positive. The red herrings you mention are at all times possible right now, what with the economic situation the way it is. I don't hear too many people complain about economics except for higher fuel prices and an occasional complaint about grocery prices. I hope the situation gets turned around even before a new pres is elected, or even shortly after. I just hope these people that planned these big ticket items for Sierra County took into account America's present woes. I hate to see any business start and fail, especially a biggie with so much invested. anyway, a cat bite or scratch huh? this comment is off topic, but, I watched a special about rattlesnake bites, and, some can be life threatening. You must have felt some fear of that with what you've gone thru!

Originally Posted by dracul

Interesting and practical points to ponder. I too view these prospective ventures with more than a little caution. They may eventually benefit the area or they may turn out to be red herrings...we shall see. Some form of development for the general region is inevitable, however, considering most of the rest of the southwest is already extensively built up. Where else is there to go?

[highdesertmutz]

well, 6/3, you're as right as it gets. but, this shortage of quality single family housing sort of bugged me when I arrived here a few years ago. If I had a zillion dollars, I would build apartment complexes for families with 2 to 3 children, or build modestly priced homes for these size families, and all would be modestly priced so that people could afford to actually rent or buy. Presently, if one wants to rent a home or apartment, it's costly around here. It's costly even for a couple. I'd like to see more affordable housing available for people who live at or below the level of poverty, which I think is about or less than $17,000.00 per year? I just sometimes wonder why no investors have taken the plunge here in T or C, real estate normally increases in value, but with a rocky housing market at this time, maybe that's why no investors have?

Originally Posted by 6/3

I guess it's damn if you do and damn if you don't for T or C. If it doesn't grow then people complain of no stores or shopping and nothing to see and do etc. But if it grows from the Spaceport etc... then there's no where to house the new workers and traffic issues etc...

[6/3]

Yeap you'd think someone would get with the program and build housing out there as obviously there will be a demand for it in the near future.

Nice thread highdesertmutz .

[highdesertmutz]

There are alternatives to the housing shortage however. If a couple can possibly stand it, living in a Rv in the RV Parks locally. There are many to choose from. In at least two RV Parks that I know of, there are dwellers who work for the New Mexico State Highway Department, which is an option. Local rv parks in T or C and Elephant Butte range in price from $90.00 per month, all the way up to about $230.00 per month, and the cost for electric useage is additionally about 15 cents per kilowatt hour. Most electric bills in a rv park can cost up to about $115.00 a month, if one uses an air conditioner, or swamp cooler in summer, and those who rely on electric space heaters in the winter months can expect about the same cost. It is actually, cheaper than owning a home, or renting an apartment, but, living in a rv full time? the walls can close in awfully fast. For 2 people, it's not that bad. With a family of 3 or more, it could be a problem. I see that most rv parks fill up in the winter with snowbirds, and these people are usually retired, on pensions, and are sometimes over the age of 62. If people relocate to T or C to help build and run these new businesses, I would think that living in a rv would only be a temporary thing. There is a lot of real estate for sale in the area. Thanks for the nice compliment about the thread!

Originally Posted by 6/3

Yeap you'd think someone would get with the program and build housing out there as obviously there will be a demand for it in the near future.

Nice thread highdesertmutz .

[dracul]

I agree, this is an interesting thread. I also agree that these are extremely "interesting times", as the ancient Chinese curse describes. Tough and complex National (and international) economic woes poorly addressed by both major American political parties and little creative insight from any significant player...except from perhaps T. Boone Pickins, of late. Damned if you do and damned if you don't; gotta high five you 6/3 on that observation bro. But something HAS to give here eventually it seems to me. Just consider the physical potential of this place, if nothing else. Consider its reasonable proximity to all the rest of the Southwestern economic hubs and cities; access is there. Weather is attractive year-round. Of course there are a few degenerates and misanthropes but these are very small problems in the greater picture. The place has legs...someone is eventually going to light this candle I'm quite certain!

I'm not a long time resident, friend highdesertmutz, only a property owner of a few acres in TorC. We would have been there by now but a confluence of setbacks have delayed us. My son recently tore his meniscus and had to have surgery yesterday for it. Though in considerable pain he seems to be healing...which is more than I can say for my gimped right hand. Medical bills are climbing towards the clouds. My surgery to correct this hand will have to be delayed because of money and other concerns. My son comes first...I am his shield and his armor, at least at this point in his life. It's been a very tough year so far. So...no...we are not presently in TorC. We still hope to be by next Summer.

Regarding the snakes, actually they do not engender fear. They are what they are. I'll avoid them if I can and respect their right to exist in the habitat they evolved in millions of years before man ever set foot in the American Southwest. Perhaps a certain snake has my number and has been briefed on my intended arrival plans and we have a date with destiny , perhaps not...we shall see. In any event, "Live well and prosper", as our Vulcan friend, Spock, so famously states

[Muhnay]

My half sister grew-up in T or C. She hated it, and left for New York and became a model.

I would think that area would be a great place to live and would grow with the lakes right there. Not to mention the monies made on the speed traps. =)

The space port, thats the one being built by the Virgin Mobile guy right?

A Spaceport for Treehuggers | Global Warming | DISCOVER Magazine

Spaceport America

I think it will be a major boon for the whole region.. Van Horn also has a space port going in.. so this is where the new frontier will first be found, and explored. Gene Roddenberry would be so very proud.

[dracul]

Yes...somewhere Gene is smiling