Council authorizes $655,000 master-plan contract for West Texas Aerospace Corridor amid transparency concerns

Council voted 4–0 to authorize the Midland Development Corporation (MDC) to contract with Kimley Horn to develop a master plan for the West Texas Aerospace Corridor. Staff said the scope will include infrastructure and supply-chain analysis, stakeholder engagement and strategic plan development; the cost will not exceed $655,000 and El Paso County will reimburse MDC through a grant from the Texas Space Commission.

Sarah Harris (staff) described the regional coordination goal and the scope of work, explaining that MDC contracted directly with Kimley Horn and that grant funds reimburse the cost. "This authorizes Kimley Horn to perform the scope of work associated with the West Texas Aerospace Corridor master plan," she said. Public commenter Robin Campbell said she opposed more space-industry development, questioned transparency and disputed claims that MDC had already created local jobs, saying public records and audits were not available to verify those assertions. "MDC and the city of Midland is not open and honest with the public about what they're doing with the space industry," Campbell said, urging more disclosure.

Council members framed the contract as a regional economic-development step and approved the agreement; staff said the work will help position local assets and workforce for the aerospace and defense industries.