Elon Musk plans to invest $100 billion in a new SpaceX launch complex in southern Louisiana.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced plans to invest $100 billion in a new self-sustaining spaceport in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. The project, known as Starbase Louisiana, will be located on a 125,000-acre site on Pecan Island and is expected to support thousands of Starship flights annually. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the first launch planned for 2029. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry noted that the investment represents the largest capital investment in the state's history. The complex will include launch pads, vehicle processing facilities, and systems to produce methane fuel. While some environmental advocates express concern regarding the impact on the fragile coastal region, SpaceX has committed to funding coastal restoration and habitat protection. Additionally, the company will provide an annual $25 million payment to local government entities for the next 25 years in lieu of property taxes. The project is expected to create over 3,000 permanent jobs, though Elon Musk suggested the number could reach 10,000 for the region.