Musk's SpaceX moves to turn Starbase site into a Texas city

Elon Musk's SpaceX is reviving its mission to turn its Starbase site into a new Texas city.

In a letter sent Thursday to a local judge, SpaceX requested an election to determine if its Starbase site, which is home to SpaceX's rocket production and launches, should be turned into an incorporated city, the Associated Press reported.

A screenshot of the apparent letter was reposted by Musk, who wrote, "SpaceX HQ will now officially be in the city of Starbase, Texas." The Hill reached out to SpaceX for more details on the letter, which was sent by residents of the Starbase area, according to the screenshot.

The Starbase site is located on the southern tip of Texas at Boca Chica Beach, close to the Mexican border.

"We are investing billions in infrastructure and generating hundreds of millions in income and taxes for local businesses and government, all with the goal of making South Texas the Gateway to Mars," the letter to Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr, stated.

The aerospace company touted it has a "major role" in the South Texas community, which hosts thousands of its employees.

"To continue growing the workforce necessary to rapidly develop and manufacture Starship, we need the ability to grow Starbase as a community," the letter stated, adding, "Incorporating Starbase will streamline the processes required to build the amenities necessary to make the area a world class place to live."

The move builds upon Musk's announcement last July he planned to move the headquarters of SpaceX and social media company X out of California after a state law regarding transgender students was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

Newsom in July signed a bill into law that prevents school staff from "outing" a student to their parent or anyone else without their permission.

SpaceX's headquarters were originally in Hawthorne, Calif to the Starbase area, while X's headquarters were in San Francisco and are expected to be moved near Austin, Texas.

Musk has floated turning Starbase into its own city in recent years, suggesting the idea in a 2021 social media post in which he wrote, "Creating the city of Starbase, Texas," the AP reported.

The Hill reached out to Treviño, who told the AP Thursday marked the first time a petition to turn Starbase into an incorporate city was officially filed despite previous talks.

According to a local economic impact report released by Treviño earlier this year, more than 3,400 SpaceX employees and contractors work at the Starbase site, while more than 21,000 indirect jobs in the community are generated by Starbase.

Treviño in the report thanked SpaceX for "helping put South Texas on the map," adding the company's presence has a positive effect on all the cities within Cameron County.

The Associated Press contributed.

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