Southern Methodist University Tapped to Lead One of 31 Federal Technology Hubs

Southern Methodist University will lead one of 31 newly appointed technology hubs across the nation, with a focus on semiconductor manufacturing, the White House announced Monday.

Called the Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub, the university will serve Texas and Oklahoma. President Joe Biden and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo are recognizing the communities through the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.

President Joe Biden told a room of reporters at the White House that the U.S. went from producing every 40 percent of the world’s chips to just more than 10 percent.

“We’re going to invest in critical technologies like biotechnology, critical materials, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing,” Biden said. “The U.S. will lead the world again in innovation across the board.”

He said the 31 tech hubs will be able to compete for up to $75 million each “to accelerate and scale up their work.”

“We know how important the semiconductor industry is to the economic health of our country,” said Elizabeth Loboa, SMU provost. “And workforce development is key to our region’s progress. SMU is thrilled to support both of these critical initiatives through our leadership of the Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub. This is going to provide jobs and move our country forward.”

The program was authorized by the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act, signed by President Biden in August 2022. Some $10 billion was allocated to establish tech hubs nationwide focused on clean energy, critical minerals, biotechnology, precision medicine, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other areas.

North Texas is home to some of the largest semiconductor manufacturing plants.

In Richardson, there are two silicon wafer fabrication facilities owned and operated by Texas Instruments (TI). TI is also building four new 300-mm wafer fabs in Sherman.

In TI’s sterile environment, the company uses a 400-step process to turn 300-millimeter wafers into some of the world’s most essential technology.

Last year, Sherman scored another major semiconductor-related expansion with GlobiTech selecting it for a new $5 billion plant producing silicon wafers.

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