[jvanderbot]

To answer your questions, I think it's more of a virtuous cycle thing. The comment from the page is basically saying IMHO "We need the other side of the virtuous cycle that will push the tech side to catch up". A motivating goal.

I imagine trade was a big driver for a ton of maritime / transport technological achievements prior to space, and is a good example of "Lots of people can get rich and get things they want for cheap at the same time", which benefited from reliable transport from afar.

As for factories directly, demand of any kind spurs innovation of production, innovation spurs learning and cost reduction, reduces prices, increases demand ... so there's somewhat of a virtuous cycle there.

All I think they are saying is "let's do that for space - find me a nail for our current hammer'