Texas A&M University will receive a $13 million state grant to expand its Cyclotron Institute in College Station, Gov. Greg Abbott announced May 7. The grant is part of a statewide effort to strengthen semiconductor research and advanced technology development.

What readers should know: Abbott announced the funding through the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund, which supports projects tied to chip manufacturing, national defense and space technology.

Funding will expand the Radiation Effects Facility with new equipment to test electronics for space and defense.

About the project: The expansion builds on a $28.1 million university project, approved in February, that will add roughly 6,000 square feet of research and testing space on Texas A&M's main campus. 

What leaders are saying: “Texas is where the future of innovation accelerates,” Abbott said in his news release. “Through this TSIF grant, Texas A&M University will speed the development of innovative technologies used in our semiconductor, defense, and space exploration industries.”

Two businesses are slated to open in a new retail development behind Dutch Bros Coffee and Dunkin' along FM 2154 in College Station, while developers continue searching for a third tenant to complete the project.

An upcoming retail strip called "Rahman Center" will include locations for Pennsylvania-based Bruster's Real Ice Cream and Indiana-based Fabric Care Center.

About the project: The project sits along a busy thoroughfare leading toward Texas A&M from the south and near existing businesses. The new construction has a price tag of $1.5 million, according to state filings.

What's next: Landmark said leasing efforts are ongoing as developers look to secure a third business to complete Rahman Center.

No opening dates have been announced.

• 12059 FM 2154, College Station

Need to catch up on the news from last week? Check out five stories out of the Bryan-College Station area for the week of May 4-8.

Tourism drives $190M to Bryan economy in 2025

Texas A&M breaks ground on $133M Meat Science and Technology Center

Last Energy withdraws plans for proposed nuclear energy project in Bryan

Texas A&M receives $13M state grant to expand Cyclotrone Institute

Bryan ISD launching virtual academy for 2026-27 school year

Following pressure from summer camp operators, lawmakers and legislative leaders, Texas is suspending a requirement that all camps install “end-to-end” fiber-optic internet infrastructure before opening this summer.

The background: After catastrophic flooding in Central Texas killed more than 130 people—including 28 deaths at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp—last July, state lawmakers passed a pair of laws designed to strengthen safety and emergency preparedness requirements for all Texas summer camps. One provision of the laws requires that camps install two types of broadband internet, including a fiber-optic system.

Nineteen camp operators sued the state over the fiber-optic rule in April, citing million-dollar installation fees and limited access to fiber-optic services in rural parts of Texas.

What's happening: The Department of State Health Services, which licenses youth camps, said it reached an agreement with the camp operators May 7. Under the agreement, Texas camps that maintain “redundant” broadband internet services—such as cellular, microwave or satellite technology—will not have their license revoked or denied as long as they meet all other safety requirements.