Elon Musk is advancing plans to create a new town in South Texas, specifically for SpaceX employees. The proposed municipality, called Starbase, would be located near SpaceX’s rocket- launch facilities at Boca Chica Beach.
SpaceX workers have filed a petition with Cameron County to hold an election for incorporation, which would be a significant step in making the town a reality. The petition suggests a community of about 500 residents, including employees and their families.
The first mayor of Starbase is expected to be Gunnar Milburn, SpaceX’s security manager. Most of the residents will be renters, working at the nearby SpaceX facilities. The town would provide local services, such as a police or fire department, and potentially its own set of laws.
Musk’s operations have been shifting from California to Texas over the years, with several SpaceX facilities built across different counties. The idea of Starbase did not just come up overnight. It is just that the progress has accelerated recently as employees have begun settling into nearby homes.
If the petition is approved, the town could establish its own local services, such as police and fire departments, and create its own ordinances. The town would cover about 1.5 square miles, a small area by Texas standards, and most of its residents would be renters working for SpaceX.
In addition to Starbase, Musk is exploring housing options for employees near Austin, where his companies, including SpaceX, The Boring Company, and X (formerly Twitter), are expanding.
The creation of Starbase will be a unique achievement for Musk, as no other company or business leader has created such a municipality.
