Photo: Jenny Hautmann for Supercluster
SpaceX, a space technology company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, is looking to establish a company town called Starbase in Cameron County located near the border with Mexico.
The area near Boca Chica Beach is currently home to SpaceX’s headquarters and launch site, where the company tests rockets and other equipment. Residents of the area, mostly SpaceX employees and contractors submitted a petition and letter calling for an election, according to Cameron County officials.
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“To continue growing the workforce necessary to rapidly develop and manufacture Starship, we need the ability to grow Starbase as a community. That is why we are requesting that Cameron County call an election to enable the incorporation of Starbase as the newest city in the Rio Grande Valley,” read the letter SpaceX delivered to Cameron County.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño released a statement following the letter from SpaceX, where he outlines the next steps in this process.
“The registered voters in the proposed Starbase area will have an opportunity to vote on whether to incorporate as Starbase, Texas. Once an election is concluded and the canvassing confirmed, the Cameron County Commissioners Court will confirm and ratify the election,” the statement read.
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Supporters of this move argue that it will allow SpaceX to continue expanding, which they believe will increase economic activity in the Rio Grande Valley. While opponents of these latest developments argue that creating a company town could shield SpaceX from accountability.
SpaceX’s arrival in South Texas has been met with pushback by some Cameron County residents in the past. A local group known as Save RGV filed a lawsuit against SpaceX back in July, where they accuse the company of environmental violations and illegal dumping, which SpaceX has since denied.