New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans will step down from that position at the end of the month to become executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority.
The announcement, made this afternoon by Gov. Bill Richardson, comes the same day Homans announced that, for “personal and logistical” reasons, he would not run against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., next year, which he had been considering doing.
Homans will be responsible for overseeing the construction of Spaceport America, which is on a tight timeline to become operational by late 2009 or early 2010.
Homans requested the change, according to a news release, so he can focus on final design and engineering of the spaceport in preparation for groundbreaking in early 2008, the securing of a commercial spaceport license and the overseeing of a national search for a permanent executive director “who has the necessary engineering and space-related qualifications to manage the complex operations of the spaceport when it becomes operational.”
The position has been vacant since Lonnie Sumpter died in February following a brief and sudden illness.
The move comes two weeks after voters in Doña Ana County narrowly approved a 1/4 percent gross receipts tax increase that will provide about 25 percent of the spaceport’s funding. That vote was critical to the project, and the tax’s approval left the securing of a license to operate a commercial spaceport as the last major hurdle. Officials are optimistic that, at this point, approval by the Federal Aviation Administration is a formality and expect to have the license by early 2008.
“With the positive vote from Doña Ana County voters, the spaceport has a green light to move forward,” Richardson said in a news release. “Secretary Homans is the right person to transition this project from concept to reality because he has driven this project from day one. I thank him for taking on this very demanding and very necessary assignment.”
Richardson is already interviewing possible replacements and expects to make an announcement “soon,” the news release states.
As economic development secretary, Homans has worked to bring a number of new companies to New Mexico and the expansion of economic-development initiatives, but a large amount of his time has been spent on development of the spaceport.
New Mexico is attempting to build the world’s first commercial spaceport specifically designed for that purpose. As secretary and chairman of the spaceport authority board, Homans has worked tirelessly to secure almost $125 million from the Legislature, develop an agreement with Virgin Galactic to be the facility’s anchor tenant and secure approval of the spaceport tax in Doña Ana County. He knows the project intimately.
Richardson thanked Homans, who developed policy for his 2002 campaign for governor, for his years of service in the cabinet.
“Secretary Homans helped develop the core policies for my administration, and he has led the successful effort to turn around the state’s economy,” Richardson said. “I have admired his bold ideas, work ethic and personal integrity. I expect Rick to bring the same passion to developing the spaceport that he brought to the Economic Development Department.”
Homans said he has “loved every day” as secretary, and he is “certain my efforts with the spaceport will help to continue our economic momentum.”
New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans will step down from that position at the end of the month to become executive director of the 
Homans requested the change, according to a news release, so he can focus on final design and engineering of the spaceport in preparation for groundbreaking in early 2008, the securing of a commercial spaceport license and the overseeing of a national search for a permanent executive director “who has the necessary engineering and space-related qualifications to manage the complex operations of the spaceport when it becomes operational.”