"Having $1 billion isn't enough these days. To be seen among the richest of the rich, you now need your own private sanctuary. For some, that means a sprawling compound. Increasingly, though, members of tech's 1% are incorporating their own towns, giving them the power to set rules, issue building permits, and even influence education. Some of these modern-day land grabs are already functioning; others are still in the works."
"The vote stirred controversy. The South Texas Environmental Justice Network opposed the plan. The group wrote in a press release in May: "Boca Chica Beach is meant for the people, not Elon Musk to control. For generations, residents have visited Boca Chica Beach for fishing, swimming, recreation, and the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe has spiritual ties to the beach. They should be able to keep access.""
Tech billionaires are creating or acquiring towns to establish private jurisdictions with authority over zoning, permits, and local services. Elon Musk controls two Texas towns: Starbase (formerly Boca Chica), a 1.5-square-mile incorporated zone largely populated by SpaceX employees that elected a SpaceX vice president as mayor, and Snailbrook, an unincorporated area hosting SpaceX and housing near Tesla's Gigafactory and a Montessori school. The incorporation of Starbase provoked opposition from environmental justice advocates and a tribal group concerned about public beach access and spiritual ties. Mark Cuban purchased Mustang, Texas, a 77-acre town he currently leaves undeveloped.
Read at Fast Company
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