Economic impact group mapping out Central Coast commercial space-launch strategy

U.S Space Command’s temporary location was awarded to Colorado Springs last month.

While Congress has yet to name a permanent location, Lompoc city officials say they’ve had several visits from leadership that would be a part of the evaluation team.

A private-sector organization focused on economic impact from Camp Roberts to Vandenberg Air Force Base has high hopes for the Central Coast regardless of what happens next.

The potential remains for a new combatant command to be located at Vandenberg Air Force Base but for Andrew Hackleman, that’s not the only rocket on the launchpad.

“Whether or not Space Command is located at Vandenberg Air Force Base the opportunities for the people of Lompoc and the people of our region more broadly, are tremendous,” said Andrew Hackleman, VP of Strategy, Hourglass Project.

The Hourglass Project’s VP of Strategy says the action tanks has provided support to both Congressman [Salud] Carbajal’s office as well as Assemblyman [Jordan] Cunningham’s office, to help make the case for Space Command to be located here on the Central Coast. VAFB officials say an environmental assessment is pending and while we wait, Hackleman is setting his sights on the expansion of commercial space launch at Vandenberg.

“It really has one of the brightest opportunities I think on the Central Coast for growth of great head of household high-tech jobs of the future,” said Hackleman.

Experts are calling it the “golden age of space,” a $200 billion dollar a year industry that Hackleman says has the potential to increase to $2.7 trillion over the next 30 years.

“Our next step, along with the Air Force, is to come up with a master plan that tells us where we want to be in the future for our Central Coast as it relates to commercial space launch and how do we work together on a plan,” said Hackleman.

Lompoc’s Mayor Jenelle Osborne applauds Hourglass’ regional concept and says it gives Lompoc a seat at the table.

“They really identified the Central Coast as this unique place that could be supportive of each other rather than compete with each other and with the loss of Diablo Canyon and all those jobs going away, how do you address it but not just at Diablo but regionally,” said Osborne.

With job creation and economic development on the line, Osborne says Lompoc now needs to evaluate infrastructure and housing.

“We’re really excited about their willingness to coordinate all of the meetings, bring all of the key players to the table and really have a strategic discussion about how do we move forward on this? What kind of support does the base need? What kind of information do we need to get out to the community and what kind of investment needs to be made to bring it to fruition? said Osborne.

Hackleman says the problem we’re trying to solve is in our reach because from the local, state and federal level the cast of leaders has aligned.

“What’s good for Lompoc is good for the rest of the Central Coast. Raising the tide in the city of Lompoc when it comes to these types of jobs and the type of opportunity and industry is good for everybody around the city of Lompoc,” said Hackleman.

We reached out to officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base about Hourglass’ efforts and if it pertains to U.S. Space Command

“The 30th Space Wing was honored to be invited to participate in the Hourglass Project gathering, which occurred at Vandenberg Air Force Base on Aug. 9, 2019, where we provided access to and a tour of the base. Growth of the commercial space industry is essential to the economic and security interests of the nation, and progress requires significant partnership between federal, state and industry stakeholders. this focus is irrespective of any basing decisions for u.s. space command, and is solely in an effort to maintain space superiority and create the range of the future, top priorities for air force space command,” said Public Affairs Officer 2nd Lt. Kaylee Schanda.