TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, New Mexico — As the first passenger rocket plane gears up for takeoff, a sleepy desert town near Spaceport America in New Mexico is hoping for a liftoff from tourism.
The oddly named town of Truth or Consequences, 30 miles from the launchpad, relies on its hot springs, healing waters, and nearby Elephant Butte reservoir for its livelihood.
But tourism has evaporated with the drought, which brought the reservoir’s water level toward record lows. Residents of TorC, as they call it, are looking skyward for relief.
“This is real pioneering stuff, opening up the heavens to the entire world,” said town manager Bruce Swingle, wh…
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