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Another billion-dollar company receiving taxpayer funds for expansion in Texas | Texas

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-16 13:16:00

(The Center Square) – Another billion-dollar company is receiving millions of dollars in taxpayer funds to expand operations in Texas, this time SpaceX in Bastrop, Texas.

Elon Musk-founded Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, SpaceX, received the fifth Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund grant of $17.3 million to expand its semiconductor research and development and advanced packaging facility in Bastrop. SpaceX is expected to make a $280 million capital investment; the expansion is expected to create more than 400 jobs.

“Texas connects the nation and the world with the most advanced technologies manufactured right here in our great state,” Gov. Greg Abbott said, adding that SpaceX’s “Texas-sized expansion” of its Bastrop facility “will be the largest of its kind in North America.”

“Working together with innovative industry leaders like SpaceX, Texas will continue to rank No. 1 for semiconductor research and high-tech manufacturing and secure critical domestic supply chains as we build a stronger, more prosperous Texas than ever before,” he added.

Through the Texas CHIPS Act, nearly $700 million worth of taxpayer grants is being awarded through the TSIF, The Center Square reported. So far, the money is being awarded to companies with multi-billion-dollar valuations. SpaceX’s December valuation stood at $350 billion, making it the world’s most valuable private company, according to Bloomberg News.

Over the next three years, SpaceX’s Bastrop facility is expected to expand by one million square feet to manufacture and produce Starlink kits and their component parts, including advanced packaged silicon products. Starlink satellites currently provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to more than five million customers in more than 120 countries and territories. The proposed project includes printed circuit boards, a semiconductor failure analysis lab, and advanced packaging for panel level packaging. Once complete, SpaceX’s Bastrop facility will be the largest PCB and PLP facility in North America.

“We love Texas. SpaceX is investing hundreds of millions of dollars into our Bastrop facility. This grant will help continue to expand Bastrop’s manufacturing for Starlink to help connect even more people across the state and around the world with high-speed, low-latency internet,” SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell said.

State Senator Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, lauded the initiative, arguing, “We are incredibly fortunate to have a world-class facility like SpaceX in Bastrop County. From the cell phones in our pockets to strengthening our national defense, semiconductors power our everyday lives. This investment will bring hundreds of high-paying jobs to the area and serve as a catalyst for further economic growth.”

In response to supply chain failures during the Biden administration, Abbott and major companies prioritized expanding semiconductor manufacturing in Texas. The Texas legislature passed the Texas CHIPS Act, which Abbott signed into law in 2023. It created the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium and TSIF grant, among other provisions, to solidify Texas as the U.S. leader in the semiconductor industry, The Center Square reported.

The first TSIF grant of $4.12 million was awarded to Intelligent Epitaxy Technology, Inc. to expand operations at its wafer production facility in Allen. The second was awarded to Dongjin Semichem Texas of $2.4 million for its specialty chemicals and materials facility in Killeen, The Center Square reported. Austin-based Silicon Laboratories Inc. received the largest grant so far of $23.25 million to support its research and development for wireless product development. The fourth TSIF grant of $2 million was awarded to Korean-based KoMiCo Technology, Inc.’s Round Rock facility, The Center Square reported.

Prior to the Texas CHIPS Act, Texas Instruments broke ground on a new semiconductor plant in Sherman in 2022, announcing a $30 billion investment to expand its manufacturing capability long term. It remains the largest private-sector economic investment in Texas history.

Also in Sherman and in 2022, Taiwan-based GlobalWafers Co. announced it was building a 300-millimeter silicon wafer factory.

In 2023, Texas ranked first for having the best business climate and first for semiconductor production, also leading the U.S. as the top exporter of semiconductors and other electronic components for 13 years, The Center Square reported.

Texas leads the U.S. in new chip manufacturing; more than 43,000 currently work in the Texas semiconductor industry.

The Texas CHIPS Act is separate from the federal CHIPS Act, which appropriated nearly $6.5 billion to semiconductor manufacturing in Texas, The Center Square reported.

The post Another billion-dollar company receiving taxpayer funds for expansion in Texas | Texas appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

News from the South - Texas News Feed

University of Texas system students sue, say new law could ban prayers, reporting, music on campus

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www.kxan.com – Cora Neas – 2025-09-03 13:06:00

SUMMARY: Student groups from UT Austin and UT Dallas, supported by FIRE, sued university leaders over Texas Senate Bill 2972, which bans First Amendment-protected speech on public university campuses between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., and restricts amplified sound, percussion, and invited speakers during finals. The law, linked to recent campus protests, is criticized for infringing constitutional rights and potentially punishing activities like prayer, journalism, music, and political expression. Plaintiffs include Christian, journalistic, musical, and conservative groups, who argue the law threatens free speech and campus support systems. The UT System has yet to respond to the lawsuit.

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News from the South - Texas News Feed

Google says Gmail security warning is ‘false,’ but here’s how you can increase protection

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www.kxan.com – Addy Bink – 2025-09-03 07:39:00

SUMMARY: Recent reports claiming Google warned 2.5 billion Gmail users to change passwords due to a data breach are false. Google clarified there was no major security warning and emphasized its strong protections, blocking over 99.9% of phishing and malware attempts. A limited security incident affected a small number of corporate users earlier this summer, with those impacted already notified. Despite no widespread alert, Google noted increased phishing and credential theft attempts. To enhance security, users are encouraged to use Passkeys, 2-Step Verification, and remain vigilant against phishing emails. Suspicious messages can be reported directly to Google for investigation.

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The post Google says Gmail security warning is 'false,' but here's how you can increase protection appeared first on www.kxan.com

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Concern for Dallas PD response time to hit-and-run

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www.youtube.com – FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth – 2025-09-02 18:35:23

SUMMARY: Family members express frustration over Dallas Police Department’s delayed response to a hit-and-run crash on August 23, where a motorcyclist, Karen Williams, suffered serious injuries. The crash occurred around 12:10 p.m., but police did not respond to the hospital until 1:17 p.m., and arrived at the scene after 2 p.m. Witnesses described the reckless driver fleeing and criticized the police’s lack of urgency. Staffing issues were suggested as a cause of delay. DPD labeled the hit-and-run a priority but provided limited explanations, stating the goal response time is 12 minutes, and deferring staffing details to an open records request.

Family members are seeking answers about why it took Dallas police more than an hour to respond to a recent hit-and-run crash that left the victim with a spinal cord injury.

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