Elon Musk’s SpaceX is seeking to create a new municipality in coastal Texas, with the aim of forming a town called Starbase. The proposed area, located in Cameron County, is already home to SpaceX’s rocket launch facilities and has been targeted due to its proximity to the company’s growing employee base.
According to a petition filed by SpaceX employees, the town will have a population of approximately 500 residents, including primary residents, children, and temporary housing for employees. The proposal includes a local government led by a SpaceX security employee as mayor, with voters able to elect three city officials in the event of approval.
The establishment of Starbase has been years in the making, with Musk initially conceptualizing the idea. However, recent delays were attributed to Texas laws requiring a minimum number of residents and voter support for new municipalities.
SpaceX employees have already taken steps to advance the plan, filing the petition to hold an election on incorporation later this year. General manager Kathryn Lueders stated that incorporating Starbase will streamline processes for building amenities necessary to make the area a world-class place to live.
While the exact intentions behind establishing a SpaceX municipality in Texas remain unclear, it is believed that Musk is also considering expanding his operations to other locations, including a development near Bastrop and Austin. The company’s growing training campus and manufacturing plant are already established in the region, making it an attractive location for employee housing.
As Musk continues to seek approval from state administrators, he recently faced rejection of a proposal for a large-rig electric charging network stretching from California to Texas. Despite this setback, SpaceX remains committed to expanding its presence in the Lone Star State.
Source: https://www.ecoportal.net/en/texas-starbase-elon-musk/1343