LOCKHART, Texas — The booming semiconductor industry in Central Texas may be getting bigger.
Micron Technology is looking at a site in Caldwell County near Lockhart to build a multi-billion dollar facility. The company makes computer memory and data storage chips.
According to documents filed with the state comptroller's office, Micron's investment would total at least $20 billion through 2030.
According to a report by KVUE's news partners at the Austin American-Statesman, an exact number on the investment was not clear from applications for tax breaks under Chapter 313 through the Lockhart school district. That's the same application Samsung, NXP and Applied Materials are using to build their facilities.
The report states that the Idaho-based company filed eight separate applications with various phases of the project that stretch out through 2043.
Analysis by the Statesman indicates that, if the tax breaks are approved, the taxpayer-funded incentives would total about $565 million over 10 years. That's assuming the school district doesn't change its tax rate over that period of time.
Read the full report by the Austin American-Statesman here.
Ed Latson the CEO of the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association said the semiconductor industry is booming, especially in Central Texas.
"What a win for Lockhart. If this deal comes through, you know, it's going to infuse a lot of money into their school district. It's going to give, you know, a huge boost to the local business community, and I think you'll see a mega transformation all over the eastern crescent of Central Texas" Latson said. "They'd be a great contributor to the economy, to the ecosystem that already exists here."
The superintendent at Lockhart ISD, Mark Estrada, released the following statement:
"Lockhart ISD is honored to be considered for this opportunity. We genuinely feel that our innovative and excellent schools, as well as our growing community, would be a great fit for the leading-edge vision of Micron should they choose to locate in Lockhart. We hope to learn of Micron's decision by the end of the year."
According to the comptroller's office, as of June 30, Texas has more than 600 Chapter 313 agreements in place. There has been a spike in applications this year because the program ends in December.
If the deal goes through, Latson said an investment of this size would change Lockhart's trajectory for years to come.
"This would be a generational investment. You don't get these opportunities very often, and this is an unprecedented time," Latson said.
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