A rocket launch company is opening a propulsion testing and manufacturing operation in Pueblo, Colorado, officials from the city and United Launch Alliance announced Friday.
The operation will bring 34 jobs by 2017, The Pueblo Chieftain reported.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Pueblo is officially in the rocket science business," said Jack Rink, president of the Pueblo Economic Development Corp.
Rink made the announcement at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum.
"Let me say this very clearly: The people who say that Pueblo can't attract outstanding companies, talented people and great jobs shouldn't get in the way of those who are actually doing it."
ULA was formed in 2006 as a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The company works on launch services for spacecraft.
The Pueblo project will be located at the site of a former Delta rocket assembly plant that closed in 2004. The new Pueblo propulsion testing and manufacturing operation will support ULA's Vulcan rocket program.
A total of $2 million from Pueblo's half-cent sales tax fund for economic development will be invested in the project, pending approval from the City Council.
The project also will receive a 50 percent credit for personal property tax from the county, pending approval from the Pueblo County commissioners.
Additional incentives came from the State Enterprise Zone program, which is administered by the county.
