San Angelo Receives $500,000 in Funding for Space Project

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Texas Space Commission recently approved grant applications that total $21.5 million for four proposed projects, including one in San Angelo.

The Concho Valley Council of Governments received $500,000 to conduct a feasibility study for an inland launch site in the area.

The South Plains Association of Governments in Lubbock also received a $500,000 grant, prompting Kelly Davila, the director of regional services and economic development for the organization, to joke that Lubbock is in a “space race with San Angelo.”

El Paso received a whopping $20.5 million in grants.

“Today is a milestone day for us as we begin the process of awarding grants. Thank you to the Board and staff for your dedication to getting this process established and your diligence in doing it right.” said Gwen Griffin, chair of the TSC board. “The four awards approved today will support companies in Texas to partner with the U.S. Space Force, assess the feasibility of an aerospace corridor between El Paso and Midland, and understand how various regions in Texas can best engage with the burgeoning space economy.”

In September 2024, the TSC published an application online for its Space Exploration & Aeronautics Research Fund grant program. The deadline to submit applications was Jan. 21, 2025. 

During the application window, 284 grant requests totaling $3.46 billion were received from 140 unique entities.

“With governing rules in place, each Board member is working through all of the compliant applications as quickly as possible. We know applicants are anxious to see the Commission increase its cadence of awards,” said Norman Garza Jr., TSC executive director.

In 2023, the 88th Texas Legislature passed and Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3447 by Representative Greg Bonnen to establish the TSC and Texas Aerospace Research & Space Economy Consortium. The total appropriations by the Legislature for SEARF grant programs is $150 million.

The TSC board plans to meet again Feb. 28 to consider more grant applications.