Starbase, Texas Incorporates as a City After SpaceX Resident Vote

SpaceX to Establish Company Town of Starbase, Texas

Elon Musk’s space exploration company, SpaceX, is poised to have its own officially recognized municipal center.

A decisive vote took place on Saturday, with residents in the vicinity of SpaceX’s Starbase launch complex in South Texas overwhelmingly approving incorporation as a city, also to be named Starbase.

Incorporation Results

Official results, as published by the Cameron County Elections Department, indicate a substantial margin of support: 212 votes were cast in favor, with only six opposing the measure.

Musk himself announced the outcome on his social media platform, X, declaring, “Starbase, Texas Is now a real city!”

Leadership Elected

The population of the newly formed city is largely comprised of SpaceX personnel.

During Saturday’s election, residents also selected three individuals with ties to SpaceX – Bobby Peden, Jordan Buss, and Jenna Petrzelka – to serve as the city’s initial leadership. They ran without opposition, securing the positions of mayor and two commissioners, respectively.

Reasons for Incorporation

SpaceX has been relatively reserved in detailing the motivations behind seeking incorporation.

However, the company has stated that it currently oversees essential services, including road maintenance, utility provisions, and access to education and healthcare.

A key objective is to transfer jurisdictional authority from the county level to the new city government, specifically to facilitate temporary closures of the adjacent Boca Chica beach and state park during launch activities.

Headquarters Relocation

This development follows Musk’s announcement last year regarding the relocation of SpaceX’s corporate headquarters from El Segundo, California, to the Starbase facility in Texas.

Motivations for Relocation

Musk cited concerns regarding safety and a challenging environment in California as contributing factors to the decision.

He specifically mentioned issues with “dodging gangs of violent drug addicts” and expressed opposition to a California law concerning student privacy regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.

Future Vision

A newly created X account representing the town of Starbase posted a statement following the election.

The message conveyed that achieving city status will enable continued development of a thriving community for the individuals dedicated to advancing humanity’s future in space.