AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the Austin Community College District received a Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund grant of $3.6 million. This is the first TSIF grant to a Texas higher education institution.
The grant will be used for an advanced semiconductor manufacturing lab and precision welding program at the Round Rock campus in East Williamson County, according to the press release.
“Texas continues to lead America’s resurgence in semiconductor manufacturing thanks to our highly skilled and growing workforce,” Abbott said. “Working together with our higher education partners and industry leaders, we will ensure the chips that drive the innovative technologies of tomorrow are made in Texas.”
The governor’s office said ACC’s semiconductor lab would be 2,600 square feet and would include a classroom and a simulation of a real-world semiconductor environment. In addition, the new welding lab in Round Rock is expected to have state-of-the-art tools to train students in precision welding and fabrication to support semiconductor manufacturing.
“We are deeply grateful to the State of Texas and the Governor’s Office for this generous investment in Austin Community College and the communities we serve,” said ACC District Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “This grant empowers us to build the kind of future our students deserve. We’re expanding facilities and opening doors for hundreds of new students each year to step into life-changing careers.