SpaceX’s Starbase site is planning to turned into Texas city according to Elon Musk

SpaceX, Elon Musk’s aerospace company, has formally requested an election to incorporate its South Texas facility, Starbase, into an official city. According to the company, residents in the Boca Chica Beach area, located near the Mexican border, submitted a petition advocating for this initiative. Starbase serves as the central hub for the construction and launch operations of SpaceX’s colossal Starship rockets.

The request was outlined in a letter by Kathryn Lueders, the general manager of Starbase, addressed to Cameron County officials. Lueders highlighted the importance of transforming Starbase into a community to accommodate the expanding workforce essential for the rapid development and production of the Starship program. She called on the county to schedule an election that would pave the way for incorporating Starbase as a new city in the Rio Grande Valley.

While the idea of turning Starbase into a city isn’t a novel concept—Musk teased it in 2021 through a social media post envisioning the “city of Starbase, Texas”—this petition represents the first formal step toward making it a reality. Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr., the region’s leading elected representative, confirmed the submission of the proposal and stated that it would be thoroughly reviewed to ensure compliance with all legal and procedural requirements.

Starbase has emerged as a major operational hub for SpaceX, employing over 3,400 full-time staff and contractors, according to a regional impact study shared earlier this year. Recently, the company also relocated its headquarters for both SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter) from California to Texas, reinforcing its commitment to the state.

Despite its rapid growth, SpaceX’s expansion has drawn criticism from local advocacy groups. Earlier this year, Save RGV filed a lawsuit alleging environmental infractions, such as water pollution in a nearby bay. SpaceX denied these claims, citing a state review that found no ecological risks.

The push for Starbase’s incorporation highlights SpaceX’s long-term vision of strengthening its foothold in the area while navigating the challenges of its swift advancement.