By KRWG News
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Hatch village trustees have voted to annex 308 acres of land aimed at developing a potential home for a spaceport visitor center.
The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/uCwTnO) that the move this week comes after the New Mexico Spaceport Authority announced plans to build welcome centers in Hatch and in Truth or Consequences. The centers will allow tourists and other visitors to be shuttled to the spaceport, still under construction in southern Sierra County.
Hatch Mayor Judd Nordyke said the annexation of land around the nearest Interstate 25 exit allows the village to get some area available for development in the village.
The Spaceport Authority's criteria for the welcome center sites includes being close to a highway off-ramp, having utilities available and being free or inexpensive to the state.