$1 Billion Scientific Ghost Town To Break Ground June 30th
An abandoned city in the southeastern heart of New Mexico will soon be the most technologically advanced city in the country.
Being deemed the “Scientific Ghost Town”, a small section of about 15 square miles just outside of Hobbs, New Mexico will serve as the development site for the testing of everything from advanced wireless systems and traffic grids to automated washing machines and self flushing toilets.
Previously an area that was hit hard by the oil bust of the 1980’s, Hobb’s, NM hopes to benefit exponentially by the diversified business that will find it’s way to their doorsteps.
“It brings so many great opportunities and puts us on a world stage,” Cobb told AP.
Also in the running for the “Scientific Ghost Town” was Las Cruces, however Pegasus Holdings and it’s subsidiary CITE Development chose Lea County and Hobbs as the Center for Innovation, Technology, and Testing.
Modeled after the town of Rock Hill, South Carolina, the point of the project is to be able to test and develop technologies in an actively existing infrastructure without the worry of it adversely affecting it’s residents.
According to Bob Brumley, senior managing director of Pegasus Holdings, there isn’t much that the ghost town won’t be testing during their trial analysis of technologies.
“The only thing we won’t be doing is destructive testing, blowing things up — I hope,” said Brumley.
With an initial price tag of $400 Million, the project hopes to break ground on June 30th. However, with no estimated date of completion, Brumley expects the overall costs to top $1 Billion.
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez has assured that no tax breaks were given in the approval of this project, noting that “the only thing they have asked for is guidance,” she said.
Providing over 350 permanent jobs as well as over 3,500 indirect jobs, this “Scientific Ghost Town” seems to be a rather interesting endeavor that could benefit many people for years to come.
How do you feel about the “Scientific Ghost Town”?
