Governor Brian Kemp has taken a significant step in response to the clear message sent by Camden County voters, signing into law HB 1489. This legislation, the second initiative spearheaded by Representative Steven Sainz since the pivotal 2022 referendum, echoes the resounding sentiment that taxpayer dollars should not be funneled into the contentious spaceport project. Notably, Rep. Sainz had previously introduced legislation in 2022 with a similar aim, although it did not progress through the legislative process.
The enactment of HB 1489 follows a series of developments surrounding the spaceport project. At the March 5, 2024, regular meeting, the Camden County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution to dissolve the Camden County Spaceport Authority. This move comes in the wake of the guidelines outlined in the Camden County Spaceport Authority Act. Initially appointed in March 2022, the members of the Spaceport Authority remained dormant, with no convened meetings or substantial progress on the project.
Representative Sainz’s legislative efforts align closely with the sentiment expressed by the electorate. In his statement, he reiterated the stance of Camden County voters, emphasizing their disinterest in allocating taxpayer dollars towards the spaceport venture. With HB 1489 now law, the state is poised to redirect financial resources away from the project, reflecting a responsive approach to the concerns voiced by constituents.
Camden County has spent more than ten million dollars on the now-defunct spaceport. Susan, a resident of Woodbine, stated that she “hopes to see money spent on county needs, like a new jail.” The spaceport’s status is unclear, as Commissioner Goodman has called for the County to surrender its FAA license; however, no other commissioners seconded his motion, indicating that the other four are open to the idea of using the license in the future. When asked for a comment, Goodman said, “Just glad to see it put to rest.”
