Big Step Forward

This should help boost the economy in Mojave:

The extension brings the runway length to 12,500 feet, making it the longest nonfederal runway in Kern County, according to airport officials. It was declared open for use by the Caltrans Division of Aeronautics on Dec. 5.

The longer runway will make possible long-haul freight flights, which may use the airport as a hub for distribution of goods.

Trucking activities could be conducted at vacant areas on the north side of the airport, with access to the State Route 58 bypass and Highway 14, district General Manager Stu Witt said.

A rail spur already connects the airport to the main Southern Pacific line through Mojave.

The activity could lead to the airport becoming the ground distribution center for freight from Central America, Mexico and Asia, Witt said.

And this will help new space companies moving in as well, like XCOR:

New hangar and office facilities, which will utilize vacant land along the new taxiway, will help ease the shortage of space available at the airport, where officials have leased all facilities available.

Good for Stu.