Help Us Defend Our Community from the Project Ranger Hypersonic Rocket Motor Facility
We are raising funds to hire attorneys and cover filing costs for a legal action to stop the Hypersonic Missile Rocket Motor and Detonation plant called Project Ranger. Castelion co-founders are former Space X employees, The Castelion deal in Sandoval County was a covertly ramrodded and opaque process that violated public trust, transparency laws, and environmental safeguards that put the burdens on taxpayers.
⚖️ What Happened
On October 8 and October 22, 2025, the Sandoval County Commission approved a $125 million industrial revenue bond (IRB) and Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) package for a hypersonic rocket motor and detonation testing plant.
The votes were taken without a public LEDA hearing, without environmental review, and without disclosure of oil and gas exploration rights buried in the County’s lease-purchase agreement.
The County and the City of Rio Rancho then signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on November 1, 2025, committing $1 million in City LEDA funds and $4 million in County funds, with the County acting as fiscal agent for the project.
Meanwhile, a Project Participation Agreement (PPA) with Project Ranger LLC (Castelion) pledges public money and land while requiring virtually no community oversight or transparency.
Why We Need Legal Funds
Our coalition, Common Ground Rising, has uncovered multiple violations and omissions:
- No public notice or record of required cost-benefit and hazard assessments.
- Explosive testing planned without environmental review.
- Fiscal risks to taxpayers and homeowners from unbonded industrial operations.
- County actions that may be void ab initio under the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and LEDA.
We are now preparing to file a motion to compel production of the full administrative record.
This requires legal representation, court fees, and document preparation costs that our volunteer network cannot cover alone.
Why This Matters
This fight isn’t just about one project — it’s about protecting our health, safety, and democratic process.
At a time when many in our community are already suffering from:
Loss of jobs and healthcare benefits
Housing insecurity and rising costs
Air and water pollution–related health crises
— approving a military-grade detonation facility near homes and aquifers is not “economic development.”
It’s an act of environmental and social neglect.
What We’re Protecting
We are standing up for:
Clean air and safe drinking water
Public records, due process, and ethical government
Community well-being over corporate secrecy
This is a moment to draw a line against backroom deals that endanger our families and future generations.
How You Can Help
Your donation will directly fund:
Attorney retainer and filing fees
Court documentation and expert review costs
Public record requests and outreach materials
Administrative support for our legal filings and community briefings
No amount is too small — your contribution helps us defend the principle that our government must serve the public, not private defense contractors.
Please donate and share this campaign widely. Together, we can demand accountability, protect our homes, and ensure that Sandoval County’s future is built on transparency, not detonation.