Proposal to Establish the Sierra Vista Space Academy Task Force

Submitted by: Brandon Martin, Candidate for Mayor
Date: October 2026
 

To: Sierra Vista Mayor and City Council / Community Stakeholders

 

1. Purpose

Establish a temporary, high-priority Sierra Vista Space Academy Task Force to position the City of Sierra Vista and the greater Fort Huachuca region as Arizona’s strongest and preferred location for the permanent campus of the United States Space Academy (NASA-led federal institution established by Executive Order, August 28, 2026).

The Task Force will coordinate local readiness efforts, assemble the data and partnerships required for Arizona’s statewide RFI response, and ensure Sierra Vista can meet the aggressive federal timeline (groundbreaking by 2027, temporary instruction for ~300 students in 2028, permanent campus operational by 2031 supporting 1,200–4,000 students).

 

2. Background and Rationale

Arizona has formed a statewide steering committee (including Mayor Clea McCaa) to prepare a competitive bid. Sierra Vista already possesses unique, complementary assets:

• Fort Huachuca’s intelligence, cyber, electronic proving ground, restricted airspace, and newly assigned Space Force Space Domain Awareness mission

• Joint-use Sierra Vista Municipal Airport / Libby Army Airfield (12,001-ft runway)

• Completed 2024 spaceport feasibility study and active pursuit of FAA Part 433 reentry-site licensing (targeted early 2027)

• BlackStar Orbital letter of intent for spacecraft research, development, and manufacturing

• Proximity to University of Arizona, Cochise College, dark-sky conditions, and a strong military/veteran community

These assets must be rapidly packaged, gaps closed (especially ≥300 developable acres and interim facilities), and presented cohesively within Arizona’s official response (due ~October 26, 2026). A dedicated local Task Force is the most efficient way to deliver this readiness.

 

3. Goals and Objectives

• Identify, document, and secure control (or options) for at least 300 developable acres suitable for a permanent campus, plus expansion potential.

• Develop conceptual site plans, infrastructure assessments, and cost estimates.

• Identify and secure interim academic facilities capable of hosting the inaugural class of ~300 students in 2028.

• Strengthen formal partnerships with Fort Huachuca, University of Arizona, Cochise College, BlackStar Orbital, and other aerospace/industry partners.

• Accelerate FAA spaceport licensing and related airport infrastructure improvements that support both spaceport and academy operations.

• Produce a complete local data package and advocacy materials for inclusion in Arizona’s statewide RFI response and subsequent formal proposals.

• Quantify economic, workforce, housing, and community impacts and develop mitigation/growth strategies.

 

4. Proposed Membership

Chair: Mayor (or Mayor-elect) of Sierra Vista (or designee)
Vice Chair: City Manager or Economic Development Director

Core Voting / Working Members (recommended):

• City of Sierra Vista Economic Development / Tourism / Spaceport lead

• Fort Huachuca Garrison Commander or senior representative (or designee)

• University of Arizona Space Institute representative

• Cochise College leadership (workforce/STEM programs)

• Designated aerospace industry partner

• Sierra Vista Metropolitan Planning Organization representative

• One City Council member

• One private-sector economic development / real-estate expert

• One community / veteran representative; Ex-officio / Advisors (non-voting):

• Arizona Space Commission or statewide steering committee liaison

• Congressional District 6 office

• FAA / aviation specialists as needed

• Legal, environmental, and planning staff support from the City

Membership may be adjusted by the Chair with Council concurrence. The Task Force should remain agile (8–12 core members).

 

5. Scope of Work and Key Deliverables

Within 30–60 days of activation:

1. Inventory of available and potential land parcels (≥300 acres) with ownership, zoning, utility, access, and environmental status.

2. Preliminary conceptual campus layout and infrastructure needs assessment.

3. Inventory of interim facilities (city, Fort, college, or private) suitable for 2028 instruction.

4. Partnership letters of intent or support from key institutions.

5. Rough-order-of-magnitude cost estimates and potential local/state/private contribution options.

6. Draft local input package for Arizona’s RFI response.

Ongoing:

• Monthly progress reports to City Council.

• Coordination with the statewide steering committee.

• Public updates to maintain community support and transparency.

 

6. Timeline

• Activation: Immediately upon Council approval (target: within 2 weeks of this proposal).

• Phase 1 (Critical Path – to RFI deadline): Land identification, interim facilities, and data package completed in time to support Arizona’s October 26, 2026 submission.

• Phase 2: Support formal proposal development, environmental reviews, and advocacy through 2027 groundbreaking decision.

• Sunset: Task Force dissolves or converts to a standing advisory body once the permanent campus location is selected or the opportunity is resolved (target: no later than end of 2027 unless extended by Council).

 

7. Resources Required

• Staff time from Economic Development, Planning, and City Manager’s office (existing resources prioritized).

• Modest professional services budget for conceptual site planning, mapping, and rapid economic-impact analysis (estimate to be refined; seek state or federal planning grant support).

• Meeting space and administrative support (City facilities).

• No new permanent positions requested at this stage.

 

8. Expected Benefits

• Maximizes Sierra Vista’s chance to be selected as Arizona’s preferred site.

• Accelerates related economic development (spaceport, manufacturing, high-skill jobs).

• Strengthens the City–Fort Huachuca partnership.

• Positions the community for long-term aerospace growth regardless of final Academy outcome.

• Demonstrates proactive, professional leadership to state and federal decision-makers.

 

9. Recommendation

I respectfully request that the Mayor and City Council:

1. Approve the establishment of the Sierra Vista Space Academy Task Force as outlined.

2. Authorize the Mayor (or designee) to appoint members and convene the first meeting within 14 days.

3. Direct staff to prioritize support for the Task Force’s critical-path deliverables ahead of the state RFI deadline.

 

This is a time-sensitive, high-reward opportunity. Sierra Vista has the assets; we now need focused, coordinated action to turn them into a winning proposal.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,
 

Brandon Martin
Candidate for Mayor, City of Sierra Vista

 

(Contact: info@brandonmartinformayor.com | 520-394-5891)

This draft is ready for use as a formal Council agenda item, campaign policy paper, or discussion document with stakeholders. It can be shortened for public statements or expanded with attachments (maps, existing studies, etc.) as needed. Let me know if you want a one-page executive summary version, talking points, or adjustments to membership/timeline.