LOMPOC, Calif. - Vandenberg Air Force Base's missile launch on January 28 was successful. The launch has been called a critical first step of missile-defense system improvements. This is part of a defense program designed to defend against a long-range missile attack by a rogue nation.
And it's one after another for Vandenberg AFB as yet another missile-defense launch will take place next week. It's all part of a busy year for Vandenberg, as the base will see almost triple the amount of launches in 2013 compared to last year.
So what does this increase in activity at the base mean for the local economy?
The base is a big player in not only employing people on the Central Coast, but also bringing a lot of visitors and contractors in the area. More launches this year means good things for local business.
"The more launches the more business we bring in," says Justin Barrick, general manager of O'Cairns Inn & Suites in Lompoc.
According to Barrick, the hotel relies on Vandenberg AFB for much of its business.
"Eighty to ninety percent of our business that we do here is for contractors for Vandenberg," says Barrick. "When there's a launch coming up, we're sold out a month or two before that for contractors preparing for the launch. So the more launches the better."
Lompoc Mayor John Linn says the city depends on the success of the base. Linn described the blowback effect of the terminated shuttle program in the late 1980s as "devastating" to the local economy.
"It really cast a pall over the entire base and people didn't know what the future would be and spending stopped," says Linn. "Many businesses closed as a result of it."
But Linn says the increase in launches from 4 in 2012 to 11 in 2013 bodes well for businesses.
"Every time they launch something, a lot of people come out to watch it," says Linn. "That's good for the city. And of course, having more good paying jobs in the valley is always of great value."
Barrick says his hotel has been booked solid this year due to the most recent launch on January 26th and the upcoming launch February 11th.
"It would be awesome to get more contractors, more military people out here. And we need it," says Barrick.
Vandenberg AFB contributes about $1.7 billion to the regional economy.
