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Texas’ bite of the microchip industry is growing thanks to public grants, incentives
Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Paul Cobler, The Texas Tribune , KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 20, 2026
· 6 min read
California might have the Silicon Valley, but Texas is the silicon state. Texas leads the nation in exports of semiconductor chips , the small pieces that form the building blocks of all modern electronics, and the industry is currently experiencing a boom. It seems unprecedented relative to what...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Paul Cobler, The Texas Tribune, KXXV (ABC 25) News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway It seems unprecedented relative to what I have seen since I got into the business in 1998, said Steve Putna, director of Texas A&Ms Semiconductor Institute.
Why this matters in The Waco
The growth of Texas' microchip industry has significant implications for the Waco area, particularly in terms of potential job creation and economic development. As the state continues to invest in semiconductor manufacturing and research, local universities and workforce development programs may see increased funding and opportunities. The Texas CHIPS Act and the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund have already shown promising results, with $9.3 billion in capital investment and thousands of new jobs on the horizon. For Waco, this could mean a surge in high-tech jobs and a more diversified local economy. The city's proximity to major research institutions, such as Texas A&M University, also positions it for potential collaboration and partnership opportunities. As the industry continues to expand, Waco residents can expect to see new businesses and initiatives emerge, bringing with them fresh opportunities for employment and economic growth.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? California might have the Silicon Valley, but Texas is the silicon state. Texas leads the nation in exports of semiconductor chips , the small pieces that form the building blocks of all modern electronics, and the industry is currently experiencing a boom. It seems unprecedented relative to what...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Paul Cobler, The Texas Tribune at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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