Space Foundation to Move to New Headquarters: El Pomar, Ackerman, EDC, State Make it Happen

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 6, 2011) — The Space Foundation will remain in Colorado Springs thanks to generous support from El Pomar Foundation, the Anna Keesling Ackerman Fund, the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the State of Colorado Economic Development Commission.

The Space Foundation, a locally based international space advocacy organization, will move into 45,715 square feet of space at 4425 Arrows West Drive in the Gardens of the Gods high tech corridor under a condominium agreement with the Foundation for Colorado Springs Future (FCSF), a 501(c)(3) organization established by the EDC. The facility is part of a 171,500-square-foot office and warehouse structure recently purchased by the FCSF. The Space Foundation plans to move its headquarters staff into the facility by next summer.

The approximately $960,000 purchase of the Space Foundation’s portion of the building was funded primarily by El Pomar Foundation and its internal Ackerman Fund, which granted a total of $610,000 – $385,000 in the name of El Pomar and $225,000 in the name of the Ackerman Fund. The EDC helped locate the property and broker the real estate deal and the State of Colorado Economic Development Commission provided $350,000.

El Pomar/Ackerman Grant Keeps Space Foundation, Symposium Local
El Pomar’s grant is contingent upon the Space Foundation retaining its headquarters in Colorado Springs and holding its annual National Space Symposium in El Paso County for 15 years from the date of the gift.

The Space Foundation was founded in Colorado Springs in 1983 and has held the National Space Symposium at The Broadmoor Hotel for the past 27 years. The premier gathering of space professionals in the world, the National Space Symposium has an estimated local economic impact of more than $25 million per year, as well as bringing the region to the attention of industry, government and military leaders and media from around the world.

“As one of the first supporters of the Space Foundation nearly 30 years ago, El Pomar Foundation believed that a worldwide organization of this caliber based in Colorado Springs would truly benefit the city and the state of Colorado,” said El Pomar Foundation Chairman and CEO William J. Hybl. “That belief has certainly been rewarded over time as the Space Foundation continues to be an economic and educational driving force on the local level, while maintaining a reputation for excellence on an international scale. The trustees of El Pomar are pleased to be a partner in the effort that culminates with the Space Foundation planting even deeper, long-lasting roots in our community.”

EDC Provided Financial and Administrative Support
The EDC took the lead on the effort to retain the Space Foundation in Colorado Springs by helping to locate the facility, brokering the real estate deal and facilitating the community and state collaboration and support.

“What an exciting way to kick off the New Year,” said Mike Kazmierski, president and chief executive officer of the EDC. “Retention of the Space Foundation has been a priority for the EDC for the past two and a half years. The long-term commitment by one of our community’s treasured assets to stay and grow right here in Colorado Springs for years to come is something worth celebrating.”

Headquarters will House Space Foundation Headquarters
According to Space Foundation CEO Elliot Pulham, funding for facility renovations — including creation of public spaces to be announced — is being sought from additional donors and will be bolstered by proceeds from sale of the Space Foundation’s current headquarters. Pulham acknowledged the assistance and support of Bryan Construction and The Larson Group Architects in inspecting and assessing the building and planning for renovations.

“The Space Foundation is thrilled to be able to remain in our home town,” said Pulham. “The EDC’s support and the generous donations from El Pomar and the Ackerman Fund underscore what a supportive and savvy business community we have here.”

Although the Space Foundation currently has just under 50 employees, it has significant reputational and economic impact on the city and, according to Pulham, the new headquarters will enable it to grow as an organization and in service to the community. He said that purchasing an existing structure rather than building a new facility is in keeping with the Space Foundation’s commitment to protecting and preserving the Earth’s resources.

“We are excited about being able to invite the community to interact with us, to showcase the extraordinary contributions space makes to our everyday lives and, over time, to grow our staff and services,” said Pulham.

The Space Foundation Discovery Institute, which serves as headquarters for the Space Foundation’s education programs, will remain on the campus of Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy, also in Colorado Springs.

About the Space Foundation
An international, nonprofit organization, the Space Foundation is the foremost advocate for all sectors of the space industry and a leader in space awareness activities, educational programs that bring space into the classroom and major industry events, including the National Space Symposium, in support of its mission “to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.” The Space Foundation publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indices that track daily performance of the space industry. Through its Space Certification and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, the Space Foundation recognizes space-based technologies and innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office and has field representatives in Houston, Texas, and Cape Canaveral, Fla. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and read about the latest space news and Space Foundation activities in Space Watch.

About El Pomar Foundation and the Anna Keesling Ackerman Fund
El Pomar Foundation is one of the largest and oldest private foundations in the Rocky Mountain West. El Pomar contributes approximately $20 million annually through grants and programs to support Colorado non-profit organizations involved in health, human services, education, arts and humanities and civic and community initiatives. Spencer and Julie Penrose founded El Pomar in 1937. To learn more about El Pomar Foundation, go to www.ElPomar.org.

In September 2006, the assets and grant program of the former Anna Keesling Ackerman Trust were given to El Pomar Foundation to continue on as the Anna Keesling Ackerman Fund within El Pomar Foundation. The Fund seeks to continue the charitable intent of Jasper D. Ackerman as evidenced through his life and through the Trust’s extensive history. Ackerman, a business leader in Colorado Springs from the 1940s until his death in 1988, founded the Trust in 1963 and named it in honor of his mother.

About the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corporation
The mission of the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corporation, a private not-for-profit corporation, is to sustain quality of life through a healthy economy. It does so by providing economic development services that result in the current and future retention and attraction of primary jobs that provide for economic diversity, replacement of lost jobs and create job opportunities for those entering the workforce for the first time. For more information, go to www.ColoradoSprings.org.

Pictured: Space Foundation CEO Elliot Pulham unveils plans for a new headquarters building in Colorado Springs at 4425 Arrows West Drive.