Boca Chica, Texas — The expansive landscape of SpaceX’s Starbase, visible for miles, is a testament to the rapid growth of the area surrounding the company’s launch site. Over the past decade, SpaceX has transformed this once-quiet coastal region into a hub for ambitious space travel endeavors, including the world’s most powerful rocket. This transformation has turned Boca Chica into a bustling site of construction, machines, and vast propellant tanks, where fishing enthusiasts now navigate through an industrial corridor.

SpaceX’s plans for the area are advancing, with residents poised to vote on incorporating Starbase as Texas’s newest city. A small electorate of 283 registered voters, primarily SpaceX employees, will decide the fate of their community in an election scheduled for Saturday. Should they choose to incorporate, Starbase would establish a municipal government complete with a mayor and two commissioners.

The incorporation of Starbase has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters believe it will facilitate local governance and resource management, making it easier for the burgeoning community to thrive. Conversely, critics express concerns about the potential concentration of power within SpaceX, fearing an erosion of regulatory oversight and access to neighboring public spaces, such as Boca Chica Beach. This beach is popular among local anglers who prize its tranquil fishing conditions.

Rene Medrano, a longtime local property owner, voices a common sentiment among traditionalists: “People want to go to Mars. But there are those who want to enjoy the beach as well.” His remarks highlight the delicate balance between innovation and preserving community heritage amidst rapid change.

The push for city status comes on the heels of Elon Musk’s long-standing interest in developing the area. Musk has hinted at relocating SpaceX headquarters to Starbase and has actively recruited personnel to settle in the region. Currently, SpaceX employs over 3,000 individuals, many of whom are newly registered voters in Cameron County, underscoring the company’s impact on local demographics.

Supporters of incorporation argue that establishing Starbase as a city could alleviate some burdens on Cameron County while allowing the community to better cater to the needs of its residents. Anthony Gomez, who operates a launch-viewing business near SpaceX, believes that living close to such groundbreaking endeavors will attract further investment and interest in the area. “Why wouldn’t you want to live next to the most amazing thing happening on Earth?” he asked.

However, as the incorporation vote approaches, it has sparked discussions about governance and regulatory powers. Eddie Treviño, Jr., Cameron County Judge, noted that determining the extent of governmental functions Starbase would undertake remains uncertain. He also emphasized the need for public accountability once the municipality is established.

The fear among critics is that the new city could prioritize corporate interests over public welfare. Recently, Texas lawmakers proposed legislation that would grant the Starbase mayor control over beach access during weekdays, a move that was met with local pushback. Treviño has been actively opposing this measure, highlighting the delicate dance between fostering economic growth and maintaining public interests.

As historical observations provide context, this development closely resembles the establishment of company towns during America’s industrial expansion, where industries held significant sway over local governance and community life. The designations of such municipalities echo considerations for future governance structures in Starbase.

While the prospect of incorporating Starbase presents opportunities for local growth and autonomy, it also raises valid questions about the longevity of community values amid rapid corporate expansion. Medrano, who symbolizes the intersection of tradition and progress, remains hopeful that commercial development does not overshadow the cherished recreational spaces that have long defined the area.

As the vote approaches, Boca Chica stands at a crossroads, with the potential for a new city that embraces both innovation and the preservation of its unique character, navigating the future of a community on the frontier of space exploration while holding onto its deep-rooted local identity.