Mayor’s Blog

Mayor’s Blog | Spaceport | March 28, 2022

Mayor Steve Martin

In this edition of the Mayor’s Blog I’d like to give you an update on the spaceport issue. As you may have heard, we are studying the possibility of having our airport designated as a spaceport. If that happens we will have the capacity to launch reusable rocket planes to deliver small satellites into low-earth orbit. This would attract many new commercial space industry businesses, create many high-paying jobs and expand the base of our local economy. This will require successfully completing three things:

Physical infrastructure: The spaceport and other projects at or near the airport will require the completion of roads parallel to Highway 46 and at least two bridges. While state and federal funding may be available for these projects, it will take a big effort to complete the plans for these projects. These plans make them “shovel-ready,” a prerequisite for government funding.

Broadband infrastructure: 21st Century companies require 21st Century communications. That means we must establish a high speed Internet tech corridor that will provide greatly improve connectivity and reliability. Again, government funds may be available, but tech infrastructure must also be “shovel-ready.”

Regional cooperation: These projects are not “Paso Robles problems.” They are regional opportunities. We must join hands with other cities, counties and organizations to lobby our state and federal representatives to provide the assets necessary to benefit our citizens, our economy, our state and our nation for decades to come. This week we will hold a joint meeting of Paso Robles Airport Commission, Paso Robles Planning Commission and the City Council to discuss these issues. I am committed to accomplishing these goals. If you are too, please let me know. Drop me a note a smartin@prcity.com.

Until we blog again, remember this is Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin reminding you to stay informed, stay involved and stay strong Paso Robles.