Samsung’s Taylor plant awarded $250M in state incentives
The Samsung semiconductor plant in Taylor will receive $250 million from a Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund grant, Gov. Greg Abbott’s office announced Sept. 17.
About the program: The TSIF is a part of the Texas Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act, which Abbott signed into law in 2023.
The TSIF grant furthers the incentive program that aims to bring more semiconductor-related businesses to Texas, as well as support existing semiconductor manufacturers, like Samsung.
The history: Samsung announced its plans to build a semiconductor plant in Taylor in 2021.
A $45 billion project, it is the largest foreign direct investment in Texas on record, according to the Sept. 17 news release. The project includes two new fabrication plants, a new research and development fab, and a new advanced packaging facility on a 1,268-acre site, according to previous Community Impact coverage.
What's next: Samsung's Taylor plant expects to be fully operational by 2026, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Liberty Hill ISD has become one of the fastest growing districts in Central Texas with nearly 1,000 new students joining the district each year.
The details: Nearly 2,000 new homes are built in the district annually, which is the third highest amount of new home construction in the Austin area, Zonda Demographics Vice President Bob Templeton said.
“Liberty Hill is going to be a very strong growth district for at least the next 10 years,” Templeton said.
What you need to know: Despite its enrollment growth, the district has projected mounting budget shortfalls in recent fiscal years. Now, the district is seeking to generate an additional $10.9 million in revenue by asking voters to approve a $0.07 increase to its tax rate in a Nov. 4 election.
Austin-based Harbor Health grows Texas footprint with VillageMD acquisition
Harbor Health is expanding its presence in the Austin area, following acquisition of 10 Austin-area Village Medical clinics.
What happened: In a Sept. 18 news release, Harbor Health announced that through an acquisition of 32 total clinics from VillageMD, growing its local presence and entering the Dallas, El Paso and San Antonio markets.
Eligible K-12 students receive free school meals after legislature approves funding
This school year, students who are eligible for reduced-price meals can receive free breakfast and lunch at public schools across Texas.
The overview: During the recent legislative session, state lawmakers approved $19.8 million to cover the cost of reduced-price meals for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.
What parents should know: Eligibility for free school meals is determined based on a family’s income through the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
Families can contact their school district to fill out an application for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year. Students who are deemed eligible for reduced-price meals will receive them at no cost through the 2026-27 school year.
What they're saying: “Kids who would have paid a small fee for meals will now receive them at no cost,” said Stacie Sanchez Hare, director of No Kid Hungry Texas. “[School] is where we know so many kids get their meals—it is a guaranteed place for kids to have access to free and nutritional meals.”
