For one month a year, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) converts this area into holiday central for NORAD's Santa Tracker, a half-century-old program that has become a thing of legend -- a curious juxtaposition of warfare preparedness and storybook magic.

ENGADGET: A visit to NORAD's Santa-tracking facility (video)

In addition, there are hopes of developing the aerospace sector at Prestwick Airport and its adjacent enterprise area.

BBC: Wind farm

"This is a good deal and Boeing definitely bought in the right area, " says Alex Hamilton, aerospace and defense analyst at C.

FORBES: Mergers and Acquisitions

Crystal Systems is a crystalline growth technology company that manufactures high-quality, large area sapphire substrates used in the LED, defense, medical and aerospace industries.

FORBES: Solar ETFs Rebound

Finally, the reemergence of American primacy in space that the National Aerospace Plane represents will do much to restore popular and Congressional support for this vital area of national endeavor.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The National Aerospace Plane

What will be in demand are intercontinental air travel, remote area access where air strips are spotty, air traffic control networks, aerospace fasteners capable of holding together lighter, stronger composite structures, airplane maintenance and overhaul, jet engines and spare parts galore.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Fuelled by booming aerospace and high-tech industries, population growth was of 1.5% a year in the metropolitan area in the 1990s, and a record 1.98% a year in the 2000s.

UNESCO: Social and Human Sciences