The Harlingen Economic Development Corp. board on Tuesday recommended an incentive package of $450,000 for Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies, which plans to develop a launch site at Boca Chica Beach amid the space exploration firm’s continuing investment in land in Cameron County.
In return, 10 percent of a minimum of 100 jobs that SpaceX proposes to create would be filled by Harlingen residents. “The phrase of being a ‘rocket scientist’ will have a new meaning for us now, because it really will be true,” Harlingen EDC board President Robert Dunkin said. Furthermore, SpaceX subsidiary company Dogleg Park LLC and other landowners in Cameron County are petitioning Cameron County Commissioners Court to close parts of Meike Place and Rio Grande Boulevard as SpaceX continues work on replatting property toward development of the world’s first private commercial vertical launch site.
Following an executive session Tuesday, which included the participation of the mayor, most city commissioners and city administrative staff, the Harlingen EDC board voted to recommend to the City Commission that EDC, Cameron County and SpaceX enter into an incentive agreement.
A SpaceX subsidiary company and other landowners in Cameron County are petitioning the Cameron County Commissioners Court to close portions of roads near the Boca Chica Beach area as SpaceX continues work on replatting property toward development of a rocket launch site.
