Gary Zhou 
Elon Musk has confirmed a $30 million donation to Cameron County Schools and Brownsville, Texas. Additional information will be released next week, according to the Tesla and SpaceX CEO.
“Am donating $20M to Cameron County schools & $10M to City of Brownsville for downtown revitalization,” Musk Tweeted Tuesday morning. “Details to follow next week.”
SpaceX’s South Texas launch site is located in the city, known as “Starbase” or the “Boca Chica Launch Site.” The private facility, which is near the US-Mexico border and houses SpaceX’s rocket production facility and spaceport, is located in Texas’s southernmost area. Eight SpaceX launches have taken place there, the first in April 2019 and the most recent on March 3rd, 2021.
Musk also plans to address some of the region’s energy issues by working with Magic Valley Utility, which will provide the area with renewable wind power. Tesla and SpaceX are both attempting to ten-fold solar capacity, according to Musk. He added, “We’re also aiming to increase solar power from 1MW to 10MW, paired with Tesla Megapacks, for continuous power.”
Musk revealed in early March that SpaceX will be “creating the city of Starbase, Texas” by integrating the Boca Chica village into the Starship manufacturing complex. Starbase, Texas, and Cameron Country will be the combined names for the two areas. Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr. said that he has spoken with SpaceX. Judge Trevino Jr. said Elon Musk’s rocket-building company approached him just days before Musk’s tweet.
“If SpaceX and Elon Musk would like to pursue down this path, they must abide by all state incorporation statutes. Cameron County will process any appropriate petitions in conformity with applicable law,” Trevino said in a statement.
Based on a suggestion from a Twitter follower, Musk also said that his Boring Company hopes to create a loop from Brownsville International Airport to South Padre Island and Starbase.
Over the last few years, Musk has contributed millions of dollars to prominent causes. Musk’s long list of charitable causes has recently been illustrated by contributions to the Khan Academy, the Barstool Fund for Small Businesses, and Boston researchers battling the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s also dedicated $100 million to the advancement of carbon capture technologies, a project he announced earlier this year.
