Texas A&M University broke ground on April 9, 2026, on its new $226 million Semiconductor Institute, which Gov. Greg Abbott said will help cement Texas as America's hub for innovation and semiconductor manufacturing.
"Texas and America must be microchip independent," he said. "We must ensure we lead the way forward. This groundbreaking is a giant step toward achieving that independence. Texas A&M is accelerating in innovation and cementing Texas' position as the global leader for semiconductors."
Located on the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus approximately 8 mi. from the main campus at College Station, the TAMU Semiconductor Institute will further enhance Texas' semiconductor leadership and drive economic growth through workforce development; disruptive, next-generation research; and impactful collaborations in support of national security and the semiconductor resurgence in the United States, according to an Abbott press release.
The institute will have approximately 80,000 sq. ft. of space for research, training and various collaborations.
During his remarks, Abbott said that Texas is the birthplace of the modern microchip and the national leader in semiconductor manufacturing and design
Abbott signed the Texas CHIPS Act into law in 2023 to further strengthen Texas' investments in the semiconductor industry, encouraging semiconductor companies to expand in the state, leverage the expertise and capacity at Texas higher education institutions, and maintain Texas' position as the national leader in semiconductor manufacturing.
It also established the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund, and the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, both administered by the Texas CHIPS Office, a division within the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office in the Office of the Governor.
Funding for the building project includes $113.7 million from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation (TSI) Building and Equipment account and $48.1 million from Permanent University Fund (PUF) debt proceeds through the Available University Fund, according to TSI.
