K.I. Sawyer awaits spaceport decision

K.I. Sawyer officials are anxiously awaiting the decision regarding the potential for a spaceport in Marquette County. The Michigan Aerospace Manufacturing Association is expected to announce next Tuesday January 28 the site for a horizontal launch site in Michigan.

If selected the impact to the sawyer community and Marquette County could be huge. Estimates are about 1,000 jobs and an investment of between 8.3 and 12 billion dollar over 10 years.

"If we were selected for either of the launch sites it would have substantial impact on the surrounding community, we could see that having a rocket launch would have a lot of spinoff jobs relating to the high tech industry, site development, even tourism," said K.I. Sawyer International Airport Manager, Duane Duray.

The site would be used for small and mid-sized low earth orbit satellites most likely using horizontal take offs.