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In January 2025, President Donald Trump announced the formation of Stargate, a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, aiming to invest up to $500 billion over four years in artificial intelligence infrastructure across the United States. The initial project, a data center campus in Abilene, Texas, is already under construction, with two buildings expected to be completed by the end of the year at an estimated cost of $1.1 billion.  

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Source: USA Today. (2025, January 25). Stargate: AI infrastructure and data centers.

Gigafactory Texas, also known as Giga Austin, is Tesla's manufacturing facility near Austin, Texas. Opened in April 2022, it produces the Model Y, Cybertruck, and future Tesla vehicles while also serving as the company’s headquarters. Employing over 20,000 people, it is one of the largest factories in the U.S., with plans for further expansion.​​

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Source: Wikipedia. Gigafactory Texas. Wikipedia.

In December 2024, Tesla commenced operations at its lithium refinery near Corpus Christi, Texas, marking the first large-scale battery-grade lithium refinery in the United States. The facility, which began construction in May 2023, is expected to produce approximately 50 GWh of battery-grade lithium annually upon reaching full capacity. Notably, Tesla's refining process utilizes table salt instead of traditional acids, aiming to reduce environmental impact. The refinery's construction has generated nearly 1,000 temporary jobs and is projected to create about 250 permanent positions.

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Source: Visconti, Z. (2024, December 15). Tesla launches the first large-scale lithium refinery in the U.S. Teslarati.

In July 2021, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced plans to construct a dedicated Raptor engine factory in Central Texas, aiming to produce hundreds of engines annually for the Starship and Super Heavy launch vehicles. This facility is set to become the world's most advanced rocket engine factory, focusing on the mass production of the upgraded "Raptor 2" engines, while the existing California facility will continue developing Raptor Vacuum and experimental designs.

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Source: Ralph, E. (2021, July 14). SpaceX to build world’s most advanced rocket engine factory in Central Texas. Teslarati.

The YouTube video titled "Downtown Austin continues to boom with more than a dozen projects underway" discusses the ongoing development in downtown Austin, highlighting over a dozen active construction projects, including the significant Texas Capitol Complex project. This initiative aims to enhance the area with new state office buildings and a pedestrian-friendly mall, reflecting the city's rapid growth and urban transformation.

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Source: Fernandez, M. (2024, November 20). Downtown Austin continues to boom with more than a dozen projects under construction. KVUE.

This YouTube video explores Texas's emergence as a major tech hub, attracting companies and talent from traditional centers like Silicon Valley. It examines factors such as business-friendly policies, lower taxes, and a favorable cost of living that have contributed to this shift. The video also highlights the growth of tech ecosystems in cities like Austin and Dallas, and discusses the potential long-term impact on the state's economy and culture.

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Source: Something Different Films. (2023, Dec 18). How Texas Became The New Silicon Valley [Video]. YouTube.