New Federal Funds, Initiatives To Expand UTD’s North Texas Impact
A federal spending package passed by Congress and signed into law in December will boost a number of infrastructure projects at The University of Texas at Dallas.
As a result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, UT Dallas will receive more than $6.8 million to improve the North Texas semiconductor industry workforce, to enhance UTD’s wind energy research, to create a behavioral health services center and to promote small-business partnerships. Additionally, there will be $2.5 million allocated to support a rail transit hub at the UTD station on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Silver Line.
“While much of this funding is considered infrastructure, the benefits to the research and educational missions of UT Dallas will be significant,” said Dr. Joseph Pancrazio, vice president for research and innovation and professor of bioengineering.
The spending package provides $3 million to develop workforce training for the region’s growing semiconductor industry through UTD’s new North Texas Semiconductor Institute, whose first initiative — the Center for Harsh Environment Semiconductors and Systems — recently opened. The institute will provide infrastructure and curriculum for job training in collaboration with community college partners and area businesses.
In North Texas, Texas Instruments (TI), Coherent and Globitech Inc. are constructing new semiconductor manufacturing plants in Sherman. The new plants, along with an expanded Richardson TI facility, are expected to boost the region’s position in the industry.
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