HARLINGEN, Texas - Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., has unveiled a new Starbase Local Impact report on Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, otherwise known as SpaceX.
Treviño said the report showcases unprecedented growth spurred by Starship production, launch activities at Boca Chica and a transition of corporate headquarters from Hawthorne, CA to Cameron County and Starbase, Texas.
“A gross economic output of $13 billion. Twenty-four thousand local jobs supported. More than $350 million in indirect taxes. The impact of SpaceX on our local economy is incredible,” Treviño told the RGG Business Journal.
“SpaceX employs over 4,000 workers. Out of that 4,000, 70 percent are local. I was there recently, and I saw the production facility, which is unbelievable. But what was so impressive was that I had a chance to speak to so many local workers that are there from San Benito, from Los Fresnos, from Brownsville, from Harlingen, and from even from Hidalgo County.”
Treviño continued: “I was very, very pleased to see so many of our local people are working these jobs. And many of them may not have even have a college degree. They've got a high school degree. Some of them were working out on an oil rig platform, and came back and started, basically at the base level, and moved up the ladder at SpaceX. So, it was very, very inspiring.”
Asked if he could ever have envisaged a company having this much impact in Cameron County, Treviño said:
“I took office nine years ago, and sometime within that first year or year and a half, I remember going out there (to Spacex). They had a mobile home, an RV as their as their base, and they were getting ready to put in the solar panels for energy. And it was a small area, not much larger than this (room). So, to go from those humble beginnings to where they're at now… it's a heck of a benefit for our region.”
Asked if he thought the SpaceX numbers would be this big, Treviño said:
“No, because it's quite a dramatic leap from where we were just a few short years ago. But what's more inspiring is that with them moving their corporate headquarters over here… first of all, that means that they're committed to our area; and two, that means more and more jobs, more and more related industries, more and more investment, more and more infrastructure.”
Treviño said Cameron County is working with the State of Texas and the Texas Department of Transportation to make sure the infrastructure is in place.
“We’ve got our work to do, but these are good problems to be having and dealing with for the future.”
Ramiro Aleman is Cameron County’s economic development director. Aleman spoke about the new Starbase Local Impact report at a recent meeting of the South Texas Manufacturers Association in Harlingen.
“So, SpaceX just recently released their economic impact report. They have a economic output of $13 billion in our region. That's a great accomplishment not only the company, but Cameron County as well. I know there are a lot of companies from Harlingen, and even workers from Harlingen, that do business with SpaceX over by Boca Chica or Starbase, as it is now called. SpaceX does have an impact on Harlingen,” Aleman said.
Cameron County issued a press release about the Starbase Local Impact report. It stated:
“Cameron County is pleased to share the updated Starbase Local Impact report provided by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), showcasing unprecedented growth spurred by Starship production, launch activities at Boca Chica and a transition of corporate headquarters from Hawthorne, CA to Cameron County and Starbase, TX.
“Cameron County is part of an exclusive group of counties in the United States with six (6) modes of transportation—seaport, airport, highway, rail, pipeline, and space—giving SpaceX and other businesses and industry a world-class gateway for goods, talent, and research. Throughout the state of Texas, Harris County is the only other county that possesses six (6) modes of transportation.”
Judge Treviño is quoted in the press release. He said:
“I thank SpaceX for choosing Cameron County as the home of Starship development and more recently moving their corporate headquarters to Starbase, Texas.
“Their commitment to our region has transformed our local economy, from high-skill job creation to critical infrastructure improvements. While Starbase operates close to the coast, every city in Cameron County and the Rio Grande Valley shares in the benefits—stronger schools, more tourism, and new high-paying job opportunities.
“As SpaceX expands their production capabilities, bringing high-paying manufacturing and engineering jobs directly to Starbase, we will continue to see a new age of growth for all of south Texas happening right here in Cameron County.
“We look forward to a continued partnership working with SpaceX to grow our local economy in south Texas, provide the next generation with abundant job opportunities and renourishing Boca Chica Beach by combatting erosion, restoring dunes and enhancing public access to our cherished coastline at Boca Chica.”
The press release added: “As SpaceX scales up its launch cadence, Cameron County will accelerate workforce training programs, streamline permitting processes, and expand public-private partnerships to support the next wave of aerospace innovation and growth in Cameron County.”
