Elon Musk, the world's richest man, is going beyond rockets and electric cars into something decidedly earthier: a town of his own. Musk’s ambitious plan to establish a municipality in South Texas near SpaceX’s Starbase facility is taking shape, marking another milestone in his growing presence in the state.

Musk moved to Texas from California in 2021, citing dissatisfaction with what he called "woke" policies in his former state. His grievances recently resurfaced when California Governor Gavin Newsom considered a law requiring schools to inform parents if children change their names or pronouns.

This is the final straw, he tweeted on X (formerly known as Twitter). Because of this law and the numerous ones before it that also targeted families and companies alike, SpaceX will now make the decision to move HQ from Hawthorne, California to Starbase, Texas.

Located along Texas' southern coast, the Starbase site has already become home to many SpaceX employees. According to reports, the Starbase community includes around 500 people—219 primary residents and 100 children—all living on rented properties.

Efforts to formalize Starbase into a municipality gained traction this July. Employees began collecting signatures and filed a petition to hold an election, a crucial step toward recognition as an official town. Covering 1.5 square miles—slightly larger than Central Park—this proposed town would grant Musk majorcontrol over the area.

"If you create your own city, and it's a relatively small area now, you have kind of control over that area," said Robert Greer, a professor at Texas A&M University, in an interview with AP.

Kathie Lueders, Starbase general manager, said incorporation would have many benefits: "Incorporating Starbase will streamline the processes required to build the amenities necessary to make the area a world-class place to live—for the hundreds already calling it home, as well as for prospective workers eager to help build humanity's future in space."

While SpaceX's explosive growth has brought jobs and development to the region, it hasn't come without controversy. An area group, Save RGV, filed a lawsuit against SpaceX this year claiming that the company was perpetuating environmental crimes and pollution of the bay nearby.

The new town could have Gunnar Milburn, SpaceX's security manager, as its first mayor if approved. Whether this move will add another feather to Musk's cap or stir further disputes remains to be seen.