Key Takeaways
- County commissioners approved financial incentives to bring a hypersonic missile company to the metro.
- The incentives include conditions on local hiring and safety.
- Supporters say the facility will be an economic engine. Opponents are concerned about safety and other issues.
- Castelion has not made up their mind yet to come to New Mexico.
- Castelion says the proposed facility will not include any rocket launches.
SANDOVAL COUNTY, N.M. – Sandoval County commissioners approved financial incentives Wednesday night to bring a multi-million-dollar missile manufacturing facility to the county.
“Project Ranger,” has stirred up debate and division within the county between those who see it as a possible economic engine for the county, and skeptics who are concerned about safety and whether the economic benefits will make their way back to taxpayers.
“This is our chance, right here in Rio Rancho, to do something very special that is much bigger than ourselves, to make a huge impact in our national security,” said Republican State Sen. Jay Block, who represents the Rio Rancho area.
What is this company and what will this facility do?
California-based company Castelion says the new factory will assemble and test the next generation of hypersonic missiles, believed to help the U.S. and its allies deter global threats…