b'68 ELP LANDSIDE DEVELOPMENTcompany simply cannot afford it, despite its manufacturingannually. Rep. Veronica Escobar helped secure more than $1.7 capability, Choudhuri says. Our objective (for ELPs Innovationmillion for the improvement as part of the December 2022 Factory and Advanced Manufacturing & Design Center) is topassage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. provide all the infrastructure as a service, the same way youdA separate project is in the works with a local utility, El Paso provide the internet or electricity. Electric, to create a 40-acre solar farm northeast of Runway The little guys now have a chance, he explains.8R-26L. Once online, the micro grid is expected to provide 5 Elizabeth Triggs, director of Economic andmegawatts per yearenough to support the airports needs while International Development for the city of Elalso returning excess power for use by other city departments. Paso, describes the communitys airport- Beyond abundant sunshine for solar projects, ELP has a centric approach to development as uniquestrategic location for aerospace- and defense-related work due and innovative. The strategy focuses onto its proximity to the U.S. Armys Fort Bliss, White Sands Missile the regions three competitive advantages:Range and Holloman Air Force Base. Theres also significant expertise in building infrastructure; highlynearby investment in private aerospace development, notably regarded work in advanced manufacturingVirgin Galactics Spaceport America, just 100 miles to the north and applied research from the University ofELIZABETH TRIGGS over the New Mexico state line.Texas at El Paso; and plenty of wide-open spaces. So far, the West Texas Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing We own a lot of land, Triggs says. And a lot of that land is atCoalition has identified about 300 local, small to medium the airport.manufacturers that employ anywhere from four to 100 people as Situated squarely in the Sun Belt, ELP is also developingkey prospects for the new development at ELP.One company is two solar projects to offset its power needs through renewablealready working on parts for hypersonic missile systems. Work is energy. The airport will soon cover roughly 2.5 acres of short- now underway with approximately 40 of those small businesses term parking with solar panels that double as shade structuresto potentially relocate to ELP and begin seeking work in the for vehicles. Its expected to generate 1.5 megawatts of poweraerospace and defense sectors. WHATS AT SMOOTHNESS THE END OFYOUR RUNWAY?Since 1993, APR has provided smoothness evaluation servicesLEARN for the largest A&E firms and the smallest, local contractors.MOREExperts at P-401 and P-501, APR can also produce an effective and efficient corrective action plan if needed.Contact APR Today for Your Next Paving Project www.runwaysafe.com | info@runwaysafe.comwww.aprconsultants.com937-849-6795March | April 2023AirportImprovement.com'