Midland Development Corporation, InterFlight Global continue aerospace partnership

MDC eyes site for vertical rocket launches in Reeves County

By Mella McEwen,Oil Editor

Feb 3, 2025

Midland International Air & Space Port | Starfighters International

Working with Midland Development Corp., InterFlight Global has helped attract a cluster of aerospace companies to the Midland International Air and Space Port, according to Oscar Garcia, InterFlight Global chairman and chief executive officer.

Now in the sixth year of the partnership, he told MDC board members that InterFlight Global has attracted 11 new companies, creating more than 250 aerospace and defense jobs and related hardware, facilities and equipment. Its first anchor tenant, AST SpaceMobile, now has over 200 employees manufacturing satellites, capital expenditures of more than $100 million and plans to grow to 300 to 400 employees by 2030.

As of the end of trading Monday, AST SpaceMobile had a market cap of $6.22 billion. Along with European telecommunications company Vodafone, the company recently made history when the first-ever space mobile video call was made. 

Garcia said the partnership will look to continue leveraging its relationships to most launch and high-speed flight manufacturers, operators, regulators, researchers and investors in 2025. The Permian Basin, he said, leads the nation in high-speed flight airspace and inland vertical launch site developments.

After his presentation, board members voted to continue the relationship, approving a $195,500 consultation services agreement with the company.

Readying for Vertical Launch?

Board members also authorized Lourcey Sams, chairman of the MDC board, to negotiate a non-binding letter of intent with the Weinacht Family Trust to lease certain property in Reeves County as a possible vertical launch site. There is no dollar figure attached, and any formal agreement — and price — would have to be approved by the MDC board and then City Council.

The resolution drew concern from new board member J.Ross Lacy, who questioned whether getting involved in vertical launch services had been adequately thought through. He expressed concern that establishing a vertical launch site would, first, have support and second, have the funds and not prevent the city of Midland from serving Midlanders. He ultimately voted against the resolution while the other six board members voted for the resolution.

https://www.mrt.com/news/article/permian-basin-space-aerospace-jobs-20144827.php