Fields to factories From the cover
KEY:
The big picture
Developed land
Undeveloped land
SpaceX: Owned by SpaceX, the Starlink factory produces equipment for residential and mobile high-speed internet. Acres: 94.07 Opened: Dec. 2023 Permanent jobs: 1,000 Starlink warehouse
The installation of Boring and SpaceX in Bastrop County has expanded the workforce opportunities in the region. The two companies have brought about 1,200 medium-to-high- level jobs to Bastrop County and employ local contractors, Precinct 1 County Commissioner Mel Hamner said. The two businesses follow the establishment of Tesla—another company owned by Musk. Musk moved Tesla’s headquarters to eastern Travis County—30 minutes from SpaceX and Boring facilities—in 2020. Since that time, the company has paid $15 million in taxes to Travis County. Tesla now boasts 15,000 employees in the Austin area. With an estimated value of $7 billion, Boring manufactures tunneling machinery for tra c, utility, freight and pedestrian use. SpaceX’s Project ECHO facility produces Starlink satellites capable of global internet service. Boring and Starlink did not ask for or receive incentives from the county for building in the area, Hamner said. Boring’s grounds now house 110 module homes for the company’s employees. The 108-acre space neighboring Boring has the potential to accommodate 1,500 houses.
Hyperloop Plaza: The Boring Bodega, His & Her Barbershop Salon and Prufrock Pub make up Hyperloop Plaza. Weekly yoga and pickleball tournaments are held on the premises and open to the public. Opened: Nov. 2023
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The Boring Co. : Boring produces tunneling machinery at its headquarters in Bastrop County. Musk established the town of Snailbrook, which was established in 2021. The property currently houses 110 module homes for the company’s employees. The 108- acre space neighboring Boring has the potential to accommodate 1,500 houses. Acres: 187
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Opened: early 2022 Permanent jobs: 200 Boring facility
Snailbrook
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SOURCES: BASTROP COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1 MEL HAMNER, TRAVIS COUNTY DOCUMENTS COMMUNITY IMPACT
The impact
not responded to Community Impact’s request to comment. Chap Ambrose runs the “Keep Bastrop Boring” campaign to bring attention to the company’s violations. “It’s really unfortunate and disappointing as someone who’s like a fan of a lot of the same things Elon wants to do,” Ambrose said.
The road can handle 1,700 cars a day, more than the current demand. “[Boring and Starlink] have been a little slow sometimes to get the correct permits, but they’ll pay the nal one,” Hamner said. Since May 2022, the company has received ve TCEQ violations. As of the time of publication, Boring has
As expansion of the area continues, water and road improvements are a priority for the city of Bastrop, City Manager Sylvia Carrillo said. Hamner said tra c from the two companies has not added to transportation issues on county roads in the immediate area because Walker Watson Road, the side road for Boring, was built by the two companies and paved by the county.
Musk companies’ Central Texas impact
Starlink facility complete December 2023
Boring Co. moves headquarters to Bastrop County Summer 2021
Boring given two moderate and one minor violations, including failure to install/maintain proper erosion controls March 20, 2023
Hyperloop Plaza and Boring Bodega opens November 2023
Boring given two major Texas Commission on Environmental Quality violations, including failure to obtain a Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System May 25, 2022
Tesla Gigafactory o cially opens April 7, 2022
SOURCES: TDLR, TCEQ AND BASTROP ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
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