Locals Hope SpaceX Will Launch South Texas Economy

Texas got one step closer to the edge of the universe last week when a federal agency gave private aerospace company SpaceX preliminary approval for a 56.5-acre rocket launch site in Brownsville.

While many business and community leaders in the border town on Texas' southernmost tip are over the moon about the economic prospects, environmental protection advocates worry the noisy, fiery operation could endanger local wildlife.

“With SpaceX, we’re getting the world at our fingertips," said Brownsville Economic Development Council Executive Vice President Gilbert Salinas.

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SpaceX for Brownsville could be what NASA was for Cape Canaveral, Salinas said. Every launch brought about 40,000 visitors to the East Florida city.

More at http://www.texastribune.org/2014/06/04/spacex-rocket-site-one-step-closer-calling-texas-h/ .