In an intriguing development, it was disclosed on Wednesday that a Texas county has officially sanctioned the scheduling of an election requested by SpaceX. This election will allow residents residing in proximity to the esteemed company of billionaire Elon Musk to determine the fate of a proposed new city to be known as Starbase. The much-anticipated election is slated to take place on May 3, with eligible voters limited to individuals living near the current launch site, situated within an unincorporated region of Cameron County along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The initiative for the creation of the proposed city of Starbase was set into motion when over 70 local residents affixed their signatures to a petition back in December. The petition, obtained by The Associated Press, was predominantly endorsed by individuals employed by the company, with the community also encompassing over 100 children. Following a thorough review, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño confirmed that the petition adhered to the state’s incorporation prerequisites, thus paving the way for the advancement of the incorporation process.
Expressing his optimism regarding the impending election, Judge Treviño remarked, “If the election garners approval, it will herald the genesis of the newest township in Cameron County since the establishment of Los Indios in 1995. We eagerly await the outcome of this momentous event.” In response to queries seeking input, SpaceX directed attention to a previously issued statement made in December by the company.
Kathryn Lueders, the general manager of Starbase, highlighted that the proposed incorporation is aimed at streamlining certain administrative procedures to facilitate the development of essential amenities within the area. Nevertheless, some local environmental advocates have voiced concerns regarding the potential implications of such a significant transformation on the region’s ecosystem.
The SpaceX launch site, which was inaugurated in Texas in 2014, currently occupies a substantial portion of the proposed new city terrain, with only a handful of lots not under the ownership of the company. According to a comprehensive local impact study released by the county last year, over 3,400 full-time SpaceX employees and contractors are actively engaged at the Starbase complex.
Elon Musk, a prominent figure in the business world, has long harbored ambitions of expanding his ventures in Texas, a state known for its conducive business environment. Relocating to Texas in 2020, Musk has overseen the establishment or expansion of several of his enterprises across the Lone Star State. Notably, Tesla’s sprawling Gigafactory, spanning an impressive 10 million square feet (930,000 square meters) and serving as the manufacturing hub for the company’s futuristic Cybertrucks, commenced operations near Austin in 2022, doubling up as the corporate headquarters.
