Elon Musk has moved his businesses from California to Texas. This change is big news for a small place called Bastrop. It is about 30 minutes east of Austin. People there now see new tech buildings rise in their quiet town.
A Surprise in the Countryside
Drivers who leave the highway and take Farm-to-Market Road 1209 find something new. There are steel buildings and company logos. This was once open land. Now, it is turning into a tech area.
Elon Musk wants to make this the heart of his work. His social media company, X, will work from a large new building. Nearby, The Boring Company has a site. Across the road, SpaceX is growing fast. They are making Starlink parts there.
Why Musk Left California
Musk left California for many reasons. One big reason was the state’s laws about schools and gender identity. He does not agree with those laws. Musk said they stop free speech and fair chances.
He now supports Texas’s way of doing business. Texas has low land prices and fewer rules. Austin also has many workers with tech skills. That makes it a good place for Musk’s companies.
Musk has also started work in south Texas. Near the border with Mexico, SpaceX wants to create a new town called Starbase. People in the area will vote on this idea soon.
Bastrop Reacts to the Change
People in Bastrop have mixed feelings. Some like the new jobs. Others worry about traffic and housing prices. Sylvia Carrillo, the city manager, says the change brings both hope and stress.
Musk’s new buildings are not inside city limits. But the city still has a say in what happens. Carrillo says they must work together to manage growth. She wants to protect green areas and the town’s charm.
New laws now limit how many homes can be built close together. This will help keep open spaces and nature safe.
Building a Small Tech Town
Musk’s team is building more than offices. The site has a place called Hyperloop Plaza. It has a coffee shop, a bar, a hair salon, and a small store called the Boring Bodega.
On weekends, kids play near the buildings. Some people sit on couches near game consoles. It looks like a new kind of village.
Local agent Judah Ross says the change is good. He has sold many homes to Musk’s staff. “It’s bringing in jobs,” Ross says. “That helps the local economy.”
Alfonso Lopez moved from Seattle. He came to invest but chose to stay. He likes the friendly feel of Bastrop. Lopez does worry about pollution. But he also respects the tech progress. “If they don’t harm the land, I’m okay with them here,” he says.
Environmental Worries
Last year, The Boring Company got fined. The fine was about $12,000. The company had a plan to dump water waste in the Colorado River. Locals said no. Now, they send waste to a treatment plant.
These problems slowed plans for housing. The company wanted to build over 100 homes for workers. So far, there are only a few trailers on the land.
Carrillo says big housing projects may take another year. The city wants to grow, but not too fast.
Big Plans, Big Money
SpaceX asked to get a special trade deal for the Bastrop site. This deal helps move goods without tariffs. The county may lose some tax money this year. But leaders said yes. They believe the trade deal will bring in more jobs.
The state also gave Musk’s team $17.3 million. That money will help build up the area. Officials expect over 400 new jobs and $280 million in total investment.
What the Future Holds
Most people in Bastrop don’t say bad things about Musk in public. But online, some are worried. “They’ll destroy everything,” one person wrote.
Carrillo says people are being careful. The city is watching Musk’s companies closely. She says the local laws will help guide the growth.
Musk’s move is a big change. But Bastrop has seen change before. The town used to rely on logging and coal mining. During World War II, it hosted Camp Swift, a base with U.S. soldiers and German prisoners.
Judy Enis, a museum volunteer, says, “That time had a big impact. Maybe more than Musk will.”
Still, many in Bastrop are hopeful. They want jobs and new chances. But they also want to protect their town.
As things grow, the people of Bastrop are paying attention. Musk’s work may shape the future. But locals want to keep their voice strong too.