Paso is full steam ahead on spaceport — and a local aerospace company took notice
Even if Paso Robles might not yet have its spaceport license, aerospace company Zone 5 Technologies is already seeing its potential.
That’s why it’s expanding its manufacturing operations to the Paso Robles Municipal Airport this summer.
Zone 5 Technologies is San Luis Obispo-based with its only location currently being right near the SLO County Regional Airport on Buckley Road.
According to its website, Zone 5 develops a range of digitally engineered, low-cost missiles to enable affordable mass and precision strike engagements from mobility, bomber and tactical aircraft that are capable of adapting to changing mission requirements during development, production and sustainment.
Zone 5 Chief Operating Officer Bill Denzel told The Tribune that the opening of the Paso Robles facility is a major milestone for the company and for the future of affordable defense manufacturing.
“By expanding our manufacturing operations on the Central Coast, we’re creating high-quality manufacturing, engineering, and technical jobs while increasing our ability to deliver affordable interceptor aircraft at the speed and scale our customers require,” he said.
According to Denzel, Zone 5 began its recruitment in mid-June and will continue throughout July. Production is estimated to ramp up in August.
While no current job postings specify the Paso Robles location, the company has openings for electrical and mechanical engineers, among others, with pay ranging between $122,000 to $199,000, respectively.
“We’re grateful to the city of Paso Robles for its encouragement and support throughout our decision to establish this facility here,” Denzel said. “We also look forward to partnering with the Paso Robles spaceport to utilize their rocket and jet engine test site, further strengthening the region’s growing aerospace and defense ecosystem.”
Is any more space tech interested?
Paso Robles has had its sight set on a spaceport since 2022, and recently took the next step in making that a reality this June when announcing its accepting RFPs for a final review of its application to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The process to obtain such a license is known to be highly complex and rigorous, but would allow for horizontal jet launches that would go to Earth’s orbit and return.
If approved, the spaceport wouldn’t just accommodate actual launches, but opportunities for space research and manufacturing as well — like what Zone 5 plans to do at its site.
Paso Robles economic development manager Paul Sloan told The Tribune that Zone 5 anticipates hiring 200 people to run the current 40,000 square-foot space at the Paso Robles airport, which would contribute to the city’s plan to invite more technology companies to the area and create more local jobs.
And when considering The Landing project, an $800 million build that’s currently proposed to replace the old boys’ school with hotels, shopping and maker shops, Sloan said this could help expand the city’s appeal for incoming space tech even more.
“We need to position ourselves as a place for companies to come,” he said. “The city’s not building buildings, we need people to do that so we can say we’re the matchmakers, so we can say, ‘Come on in.’”
Amid the ongoing licensing application, other partners have expressed interest in exploring operational relationships with the potential spaceport including Cal Poly, Stellar Exploration, UARX Space Solutions, Wagner Star Industries and Gran Systems.
This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 10:07 AM.
