Lompoc grants space center project fundraising extension due to pandemic

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Steve Franck and his partners at Pale Blue Dot Ventures plan to build a space center in the heart of the Lompoc Valley.

Due to the economic downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic, the project backers say their ability to fundraise has been compromised.

The Lompoc City Council granted their request to push back some significant deadlines.

Prior to the pandemic, Pale Blue Dot Ventures was required to provide proof of at least $750,000 in funds, with at least $500,000 of that in cash, as well as early design documents by mid-July 2020.

The City Council unanimously voted to extend that deadline by 120 days, effectively pushing it to mid-November.

Pale Blue Dot Ventures said the pandemic forced everyone to take a significant pause, but that prior to the pandemic good progress was being made.

The group has hopes the space center could be open as soon as mid-2024.

2024 will be an exciting time for the space center to be open because that is when NASA plans to return American astronauts to the moon.