Texas Space Commission Awards Grant to El Paso County
Austin, TX - The Texas Space Commission (TSC) announced a Space Exploration & Aeronautics Research Fund (SEARF) grant of up to $800,000 has been awarded to El Paso County for developing a Master Plan regarding their West Texas Aerospace Corridor.
This document will establish a comprehensive, stakeholder-driven roadmap to guide aerospace infrastructure investment, workforce development, and research strategies across West Texas, spanning from El Paso to Midland. This project is intended to position the region as a competitive inland alternative for space industry expansion by aligning transportation assets, industrial capacity, educational institutions, and human capital pipelines to support long-term growth.
This grant award will provide local and state leaders with actionable data and strategic guidance to inform future investments and planning across the West Texas region. TSC funding will reimburse eligible expenditures for planning services, research and analysis, stakeholder engagement, and other direct costs associated with the project. This grant has a current termination date of July 31, 2027.
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About El Paso County
El Paso County is the westernmost county in Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 865,657, making it the 9th most populous county in Texas. Its county seat is in the city of El Paso, the 6th most populous city in Texas and the 22nd most populous city in the United States. The county was created in 1850 and later organized in 1871. Learn more.
About the Texas Space Commission
Established by the 88th Texas Legislature in 2023 through House Bill 3447, authored by Rep. Greg Bonnen, M.D., the Texas Space Commission advances innovation in the fields of space exploration and commercial aerospace to strengthen the state’s proven leadership across civil, commercial, and military domains. To date, the total appropriation made by the Legislature for the SEARF Trust is $450 million. Learn more.
Contact
To submit a media inquiry to the Texas Space Commission, please send an email to: TSCPressInquiries@space.texas.gov