Elon Musk’s newly developed Texas city has elected its first-ever mayor as the billionaire moves forward with major expansion plans.
In a major milestone for Elon Musk’s new Texas city, known as Starbase, the local community has elected its first-ever mayor.
The vote, held on May 3rd, resulted in a landslide victory for Bobby Peden, who will lead the city alongside two elected commissioners, Jordan Buss and Jenna Petrzelka.
The creation of Starbase comes after years of SpaceX’s growth in the area.
Since 2019, Musk’s space company has steadily expanded its operations, transforming a part of Cameron County into a thriving company town.
This transition began when SpaceX set up a major rocket launch site close to the US-Mexico border.
Starbase is now officially a city.
On the day of the vote, 212 people supported the formation of Starbase, while only six voted against it.
The city now covers about 1.6 square miles (3.9 square kilometers).
The new city will be governed by the mayor and two commissioners, who will be responsible for managing local decisions such as urban planning and taxes.
The vote to establish Starbase marks a significant moment in the development of the region, especially given SpaceX’s influence over the area’s growth.
Many of the local residents work for SpaceX, and some even live in company-owned housing, which has sparked mixed reactions from the surrounding communities.
Elon Musk’s new Texas city has elected its first mayor as expansion plans move forward
Bobby Peden, who will serve as the first mayor of Starbase, has deep roots in SpaceX.
With more than 12 years of experience at the company, Peden has worked in various roles, including as Vice President of Texas Test & Launch.
His journey with SpaceX began in 2014, when he worked as a cryogenic systems engineer.
In addition to his time at SpaceX, Peden has also interned at Ad Astra Rocket Company and Virco.
He holds a Master’s degree in engineering mechanics from the University of Texas at Austin.
Peden currently resides in a house owned by SpaceX, further linking him to the company’s growing presence in the area.
Mixed reactions from local residents
While the creation of Starbase is exciting for many, it has not been welcomed by everyone.
Some local residents have expressed concerns about the environmental impact of SpaceX’s operations.
Others worry about the increasing power of a private company over the public life of the region.
One of the most controversial aspects of Starbase’s development is the amount of land SpaceX has acquired in the area.
Since 2012, SpaceX has been purchasing land around its launch site.
Over time, the company has built facilities, roads, and even housing for its employees.
SpaceX’s growing influence in the region
Despite these concerns, the company continues to expand its footprint in Starbase.
SpaceX has even created its own streets, including one named “Memes Street,” and put up a large bust of Elon Musk, which was later vandalized.
Currently, around 500 people live in the area. Most of these residents work for SpaceX or are closely connected to the company in some way.
Only registered voters in the city could vote, mostly tied to SpaceX’s workforce.
Plans for the future development in Starbase
While SpaceX has not provided many details about its long-term plans for the city, some information has been shared.
The company has filed plans to build key infrastructure, including a school, power plant, and commercial center.
There are even rumors about a sushi restaurant being added near Elon Musk’s personal residence.
Locals have also heard discussions about connecting Starbase to the nearby water system, which would help support the growing community.
Despite the excitement surrounding these developments, some people remain skeptical about the level of control SpaceX will have over the city’s future.