McALLEN, Texas — Elon Musk’s SpaceX has successfully turned its South Texas location into a legitimate city now called Starbase, following a decisive vote that cemented its new status. The vote took place on Saturday, with an impressive majority of residents, primarily SpaceX employees, supporting the city’s establishment. Out of the small voter pool, 212 were in favor, while only 6 opposed, according to Cameron County’s Elections Department.
Elon Musk, the influential entrepreneur behind SpaceX, expressed his excitement over social media, proudly declaring Starbase a “real city.” This newly christened city serves as the base for SpaceX’s ambitious rocket program, which collaborates with both NASA and the Department of Defense with aspirations to return astronauts to the moon and eventually to Mars.
The concept of Starbase was initially proposed by Musk in 2021, and the creation of the city seemed almost inevitable given the circumstances. With 283 eligible voters in the vicinity, a significant portion is employed at SpaceX, aligning their interests closely with the company’s. This electoral triumph marks a personal achievement for Musk, who has seen mixed public opinion regarding his leadership, especially after notable cuts during President Donald Trump’s administration and financial challenges faced by Tesla.
SpaceX’s endeavor has been largely embraced by local officials due to the economic boost and job opportunities it brings to the region. Yet, establishing a city centered around a corporation has sparked concern among critics. There are fears that it could lead to Musk exerting greater influence over the local community, especially if authority to close public amenities like beaches and a state park is transferred to the city.
Legislative efforts are underway to delegate power from county officials to Starbase’s nascent government, consisting of a mayor and city council. This transition coincides with SpaceX’s request for federal approval to increase the frequency of their launches in South Texas from five to twenty-five yearly.
Nestled at Texas’ southern tip near the Mexico border, Starbase is modest in scale covering just 1.5 square miles. Its landscape is dotted with simple homes and trailers, intersected by a network of roads. Despite the development’s progress, SpaceX has been relatively quiet about the motivations behind forming a “company town” and declined to provide comments upon inquiry.
Kathryn Lueders, General Manager of Starbase, stated in a 2024 letter to local leaders that expanding Starbase as a community is vital. The note highlighted SpaceX’s management of infrastructure and essential services including education and healthcare for residents within their domain.
SpaceX has advocated that having the city manage beach closures would enhance operational efficiencies during launches. However, local voices insist that such powers should remain with county authorities, who have historically represented a wider scope of constituents who utilize the recreational areas.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr. stressed that the current collaboration with SpaceX is satisfactory and unnecessary changes should be avoided. Meanwhile, another legislative proposal threatens fines and incarceration for noncompliance with beach evacuation orders.
The transformation and potential ramifications have sparked activism and opposition. The South Texas Environmental Justice Network recently organized a protest conveying concerns about the beach and access rights. Josette Hinojosa, a Texas resident, expressed the importance of safeguarding beach access for future generations.
Christopher Basaldú, linked to the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation, emphasized that the area holds significant cultural reverence alongside its environmental importance. For the tribe and its history, proximity to both the Rio Grande and the Gulf is considered sacred.