LAS CRUCES – Taking the next steps forward in helping to brand New Mexico as the place to experience the future in space, New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans today named Mayor Mattiace of Las Cruces and Richard Hass, President of the New Mexico Space Alliance, Co-Chairman of the Alliance for the X-PRIZE CUP and unveiled the Countdown to X-PRIZE CUP logo, created by the Albuquerque-based design firm, Vaughn Wedeen.

“Governor Richardson is committed to making New Mexico an incubator for the spaceflight industry to bring new companies, new jobs and economic development to New Mexico in the years to come,” stated New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans. “By empowering out local leadership and communities to get involved and participate we ensure that we get the job power to make this event bring new dollars and jobs to communities throughout southern New Mexico.”

The mission of the committee – Alliance for the X-PRIZE CUP - will be to build grassroots support and participation throughout the region to prepare for the Countdown to X-PRIZE CUP. The Countdown to X-PRIZE CUP event will include X-PRIZE CUP team demonstrations, an exhibition, the largest-ever space education day, and space-related community events statewide and it will take palace, this fall, as Governor Richardson declared October 4-9, 2005 will be “X-PRIZE” week throughout the state of New Mexico. This will be an important week for space because in addition to Countdown to X-PRIZE CUP, it is the Anniversary of Sputnik and the United Nations World Space Week.

“The X-PRIZE Foundation is very excited to be partnering with the citizens of New Mexico and Governor Richardson to launch this spaceflight revolution,” stated Diane Murphy, Senior Vice President of the X-PRIZE Foundation and the Member of the X-PRIZE Foundation Advisory Committee. “This is a great example of where economic benefit and fun can collide.”

“I am happy that we are starting to get to work on the Countdown to X-PRIZE CUP and that we understand the various responsibilities the Las Cruces International Airport will have in making spaceflight a reality,” said Mayor Mattiace of Las Cruces.

“It is an honor to be asked to be a part of this endeavor,” stated Richard Hass, Co-Chair of the Alliance for the X-PRIZE CUP. “There is a lot of energy across the state surrounding the X-PRIZE CUP and I look forward to working with the New Mexico Economic Development Department to harness and direct that energy for the purpose of creating a successful and enjoyable event.

CITIES, COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL BE INVITED TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE FOR THE X-PRIZE CUP: