AUSTIN — A day after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said he was moving the commercial space company’s headquarters to Texas, a new commission charged with making the state’s space industry more competitive was looking for more. Meeting for the first time with new Executive Director Norman Garza Jr., the Texas Space Commission board said it has compiled a list of domestic and international space companies looking to relocate and is already working to attract them to Texas.
Elon Musk says he’s moving SpaceX and X headquarters to Texas from California State Rep. Greg Bonnen, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said he’s been surprised to learn how many opportunities already exist within the state. “I’ve had an opportunity to visit a number of companies at a number of locations around the state and we’ve had some really, really exciting brainstorming sessions,” he said. “The level of opportunity is actually greater than what I had anticipated.
Launchpad for Mars': Gov. Abbott launches Texas Space Commission, challenges state universities At an earlier meeting, Bonnen described the space industry as both a matter of the state economy and of national security as he challenged the board to develop its goals and plans with an eye toward securing more funding. “The amount of funding will be directly proportional to the quality of your plan,” the Friendswood Republican said.
Texas Space Commission names South Texas native as its first executive director The board is still developing its process for receiving grant requests but is already hearing from businesses, schools, nonprofits and other groups interested in funding. It had previously voted to make Gwen Griffin, founder and CEO of aerospace public relations firm Griffin Communications Group, its chair. Kathy Leuders, general manager of SpaceX’s Starbase in South Texas, was elected vice chair.