Business and industry have all but ignored southeast New Mexico because of its transportation system. And until last year, it seemed state legislators didn't care as they continually funneled highway dollars to the Albuquerque area. WIPP is a Department of Energy project to bury plutonium-contaminated waste in ancient salt caverns 23 miles southeast of Carlsbad. The construction project is spread out over five years. Work is already underway between Roswell and Artesia.
Companies demand access to an interstate or four-lane highway.
That will give us the accessibility we haven't had before. The size and shape of the existing highway system hasn't, however, deterred all business, particularly those in need of air space. And that's where the Roswell Industrial Air Center comes in. The RIAC, located four miles south of the city, was originally developed for military aviation by the Army Corps of Engineers. As Walker Air Force Base, it was once one of the largest installations operated by the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command.