By Lilia Guan
Several media outlets have announced that Pegasus Global Holdings has pulled out of a billion dollar deal to build a make-believe city near Hobbs, New Mexico.
According to stuff.co.nz Robert Brumley, managing director of the project, announced on Friday the group was pulling out "due to some very complicated and unforeseen issues with acquiring the land".
The group said it would begin reviewing proposals from 15 other New Mexico communities that had expressed an interest in the project.
Lea County and Hobbs New Mexico were the two finalists in the original site selection process, with the deal involving both public and private parcels.
In May, technology development firm, Pegasus Global Holdings originally announced the two towns as the location for the Centre for Innovation, Testing and Evaluation (CITE).
CITE was to be the first of its kind – a fully integrated test, evaluation and certification facility replicating a true modern day city in size and scope.
To be truly representative of an existing city, CITE was to comprise of urban, suburban and rural environments and include a mix of new and aging infrastructure.
This would give clients an opportunity to test and evaluate their technologies in a facility that most closely simulates real-world applications.
The approach to testing and evaluation had the potential to change the process of new and emerging technologies.
Unique to CITE, the test infrastructure would have been “unpopulated” allowing for a laboratory without the complication and safety issues arising from having residents.
CITE was anticipated to create at least 350 direct jobs and 3500 indirect jobs in its design, development, construction and ongoing operational phases.
At the time Mr Brumley said the company spent a considerable amount of time searching for and evaluating the right location within the state.
In December 2011, the New Mexico Partnership, on behalf of Pegasus Global Holdings, solicited proposals from communities across the state of New Mexico interested in becoming home to CITE.
About 16 communities responded with proposals. CITE Development convened a committee comprised of members of its public advisory board to evaluate the proposals and determine which were viable options for the CITE project and the top choices were sent to Pegasus for consideration.
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez said in May the state worked closely with Pegasus Global Holdings to see the selection process through in order to bring jobs and innovation.
“This is a great opportunity for growth and job creation and I’m excited to see the impact that CITE will have on the region and the state,” she said at the time.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@governmentnews.com.au.
Sign up to the Government News newsletter
