For nearly two centuries, Texas has seen its boundaries stretch through declarations, treaties, and booming economies, but its map has remained static since 1845. In recent years, whispers of infrastructure revolutions—from high-speed rail to major micro-communities—have rekindled debate over how the Lone Star State might evolve. Elon Musk’s sprawling vision now throws those whispers into focus, positioning his operations not just as corporate expansion but as forces that could redraw geography.
Elon Musk uses Texas as ground zero
The timing couldn’t be more consequential. With The Boring Company’s Hyperloop test tunnel already humming in Bastrop County, and SpaceX pouring billions into Giga Texas near Austin, the pieces are aligning for a seismic shift in where people live and how they move. Cities like San Antonio and College Station are reportedly in talks for underground connections, signaling that Tesla’s CEO isn’t merely planting facilities, but building connective tissue that could reframe regional transportation and growth.
Now, the emerging challenge is whether Texas’s existing governance frameworks and local opposition—particularly from ranchers and environmentalists—can accommodate such bold transformation. Questions loom over land rights, eminent domain, and rural resistance, especially as tunnel proposals aim to snake beneath private properties. All paths lead to one thing: Musk’s comprehensive plan to redraw the map of Texas, gaining real momentum.
The plan to build a tunnel across Texas
As federal spending is cut back under his Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk is expanding his influence both nationally and internationally. He has recently focused on issues like DEI and foreign aid, and reportedly spends time in offices near the White House. More than 1,500 miles away in Texas, Musk’s impact takes a quieter but growing form.
For years, he has been building his business base in the Lone Star State. He has moved most of his companies there and started major projects in Austin, near Brownsville, and outside Waco. The heart of this operation is his corporate compound in rural Bastrop County, about 45 minutes from downtown Austin.
This year, Musk’s presence in the area is set to grow even more. A new headquarters for his social media company X is nearing completion. SpaceX plans to more than double the size of its nearby facility. Meanwhile, the company town, Snailbrook, is expected to restart development before the end of the year—possibly on a larger scale than first reported.
He’s not there, but his companies are based in Bastrop
The businessman himself does not spend much time in Bastrop. But his investments, backed by the county’s loose development rules, are already changing the rural landscape. Along with new jobs and increased media attention, his projects have raised concerns about environmental impact and cultural shifts in Bastrop, a place that prides itself on remaining a quiet contrast to nearby Austin.
SpaceX’s 700,000-square-foot facility is set to more than double in size, according to a progress report the company released last year. Construction equipment is already present on-site, and trucks regularly haul materials along the nearby two-lane road. The facility assembles Starlink kits—devices that provide internet access in remote areas. This year, Starlink plans to expand availability to new customers in West Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, and South America.
How the future looks for SpaceX
To support this growth, SpaceX has applied to join the federal Foreign-Trade Zone program, which could allow the company to avoid certain taxes and tariffs on goods handled at the site. County officials supported SpaceX’s application, telling The Texas Newsroom that while it would cost the county about $75,000 in tax revenue over two years, Musk has not requested other tax breaks in Bastrop. This contrasts with the abatements he received for developments in Austin and Brownsville.
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