SpaceX planning to build a new project in Manatee County, records say
Could SpaceX extend its footprint to Manatee County?
The commercial spaceflight company filed preliminary paperwork to build a satellite communications facility in Myakka City, according to county records. SpaceX, which Elon Musk founded in 2002, has become a leader in aerospace and is known for its rocket launches and partnership with NASA.
Located at 3350 County Road 675, the project’s proposal is to build a fenced, gravel compound on a 0.73-acre area with 40 satellite antennas and one headend equipment rack, according to building records. The property is just south of Lake Manatee, west of Waterbury Road.
The company is increasing its operations in Florida, with plans to launch its first spaceship from the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral by the end of the year, according to Florida Today.
The outlet reported SpaceX’s capital investment project on the Space Coast would be at least $1.8 billion, “and will bring an estimated 600 new full-time jobs” by 2030.
SpaceX plans Manatee facility, records say
SpaceX has an international subsidiary called Starlink, which uses satellites in orbit to provide internet access across the globe, including in remote places without communication infrastructure.
“Leveraging advanced satellites and user hardware coupled with our deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to users all over the world,” the company’s website said.
According to building records, the satellite compound in Myakka City would support high-bandwidth, low-latency data communications.
“The antennas and associated infrastructure will facilitate both uplink and downlink communication services,” the proposal states.
In addition to SpaceX, Musk is the CEO of Tesla and social media company X, formerly Twitter.
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 5:50 AM.
