By Michael Maresh | Yuma Sun
Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls does not believe completion and opening of the spaceport will take five to 10 years, as some have speculated.
Instead, he told the Yuma Sun, leases could be signed within a year and the spaceport could open within a three-year window.
In a recent presentation to the City Council, officials said the proposed spaceport in Yuma could still be five to 10 years away from becoming reality.
The spaceport concept has been in development since 2020 and involves collaboration between the City of Yuma, Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp., Arizona Western College and Elevate Southwest, which has been identified as the lead organization. The effort also includes partnerships with several other entities.
Nicholls noted that it would be very difficult to walk away from the proposed spaceport project once contracts are signed with investors. Even if members of the City Council change after elections, the spaceport contracts would still be binding.
“By approving this project, the City Council would position Yuma as a major aerospace hub. They have a historic opportunity to leverage Yuma’s unique geographic and military assets, transforming the region into a hub that brings high-tech companies and related jobs.”
-Shruti Gurudanti, Rose Law Group partner and leader of the firm’s space law practice
