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Suit filed over Pima space company deal

Posted at 10:31 AM, Apr 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-16 13:34:15-04

 

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - The Goldwater Institute has sued Pima County over a multi-million-dollar deal it made with a balloon spaceflight company in Tucson, calling it an unlawful gift of public funds.
 
The conservative think-tank says the $15 million incentives package that includes building a 120,000-square-foot headquarters is unconstitutional. The institute also says Pima County didn't hold a competitive bidding process and planned the deal behind closed doors.
 
The Board of Supervisors in February approved the deal that is expected to produce 400 jobs.
 
The county had stiff competition from Space America in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and from which was vying for World View to set up its company there.
 
Pima County has said the Goldwater Institute's claims are false and misleading.