(Just The News)—SpaceX is constructing a multi-phase industrial complex near the Gibbons Creek Reservoir in Grimes County with the help of millions of dollars in tax incentives.
The complex will include semiconductor manufacturing, power generation, an AI advanced computing campus, supporting power generation, a space compute test facility, among other projects.
The office of Gov. Greg Abbott and SpaceX announced the first phase of the development: a vertically integrated semiconductor fabrication plant is being built.
SpaceX says it’s investing $16.8 billion to build the 100-million-square-foot facility to accelerate semiconductor manufacturing. It’s expected to create 3,000 new jobs, including engineers, technicians and plant operator personnel.
SpaceX, owned by multibillionaire Elon Musk and valued at $1.7 trillion, received a $30 million Texas Enterprise Fund grant (TEF). Two local school districts approved its application to not pay local school property taxes for 10 years through the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) program.
Gov. Greg Abbott, a strong advocate of using taxpayer funds as incentives for businesses to relocate or expand operations in Texas, supported SpaceX receiving both grants.
“The first-of-its-kind Terafab facility will accelerate chip production in Texas at an unprecedented scale, create thousands of good-paying jobs in Grimes County, and expand economic opportunity for generations of Texans,” he said.
The TEF grant, awarded through the Texas Economic Development & Tourism office, “may be awarded to a business relocation or expansion project for which one Texas site is in competition with out-of-state locations to create new, good-paying jobs in the community and attract significant new capital investment to the state,” the office says.
Abbott signed House Bill 5 into law to create the JETI program “to attract large, capital-intensive economic development projects that bring new capital investment and create new, good-paying Texas jobs while ensuring robust reporting and transparency.”
The program gives tax breaks to corporations at the expense of school districts and local taxpayers, critics argue. It allows a company to enter into an agreement “for a 10-year school district maintenance and operations (M&O) tax appraised value limitation of 50%, based on qualifying job and capital investment minimums. Projects located in qualified Opportunity Zones are eligible for an additional 25% limitation on taxable value.”
Critics argue TEF is corporate welfare and companies would expand operations in Texas anyway because of Texas’ business friendly policies. The grants impose additional costs on cities “in the form of reduced revenues and increased liabilities,” and there’s no meaningful measurement to quantify incentives to economic well-being, the Better Cities Project has argued, The Center Square reported.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation argues TEF should be eliminated and has proposed an alternative solution, noting that “The interstate subsidy race represents an ever-spiraling stairway to more government intervention in the market.”
Despite the tax revenue loss, Anderson-Shiro Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Sarah Borowicz said the JETI agreement “will strengthen our district, expand opportunities, and better prepare our students for their future. There are defining moments in the life of a school district, and this is one of those moments. Our commitment now is to ensure that every opportunity created through this agreement is managed wisely, transparently, and always with students at the center of every decision.”
Iola ISD Superintendent Jeff Dyer also said the district’s Board of Trustees voted for the JETI agreement “after much thought and consideration. The Board’s stated priority has always been to do what’s best for Iola ISD. Throughout this process, the Board welcomed public input, regularly communicated with SpaceX’s representatives, and engaged a school finance consultant about the impact of this project. Ultimately, the Board determined that providing the requested tax incentives for this project was in Iola ISD’s best interest.”
Grimes County Citizens for Responsible Development published extensive information about the project, including maps of where the industrial complex will be built. It’s encouraging residents to review “the public documents, understand what was approved, and follow the potential impacts to land, water, roads, emergency services, taxes, and rural quality of life.”
“A project of this size is not just a private business decision. It has the potential to affect schools, roads, water, emergency services, land use, utility demand, and the long-term character of Grimes County,” GCCRD says.
When it comes to the impact on local taxpayers, it points to public records that “indicate that school finance consultants were preparing to discuss the potential impact of the JETI agreement on taxable value, M&O revenue, I&S revenue, tax rates, and existing taxpayers.” This reinforced GCCRD’s concern “that citizens are being forced to piece together a major public incentive package through Public Information Act requests rather than receiving one clear, complete explanation before public votes and long-term commitments are made.”
GCCRD said that what’s being built “is not simply one building or one factory.” Public documents describe a multi-phase industrial campus that includes multiple buildings, plants, transformers, water treatment and recycling facilities, industrial waste treatment facilities, gas turbines, utility scale battery storage, among others.
Grimes County Judge Joe Fauth said SpaceX expansion was “a generational change” and developing an industrial site next to a major reservoir “makes all the sense in the world.”
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
