The new city of Starbase— created and run by employees of SpaceX — is helping the company apply for a multimillion-dollar state tax refund. If the expansion project is also approved for the enterprise program, SpaceX would be eligible for up to $7.5 million in sales tax refunds. Though, advocates say state tax dollars could be better spent elsewhere than on SpaceX, a company valued at hundreds of billions of dollars. Rio Grande Valley counties are considered economically distressedThe Enterprise Zone Program is meant to encourage job creation and investment from private companies in low-income zones. Former Commissioner Jenna Petrzelka, who voted to nominate the projects for state tax breaks, worked at SpaceX until July 2024.