His comment was it was likely cheaper to truck vs rebuild unless the construction material is coming from long distance. If they produced product that would leave via rail would change the equation significantly. Also most chip production equipment is not happy with rail transport.
TERAFAB Development Watch Companies, Construction & Local Growth
44,932 Views |
321 Replies |
Last: 8 hrs ago by BuddysBud
On the video (very nice by the way) the freeze frame at 34 seconds is looking south toward State 30. The vertical road on the left is Timber Wolf Trail. I have never seen more southern red oak anywhere. The deer around there were under hunted due to bleeding heart landowners setting up "preserves". And they got big.
A few years back when TMPA owned most of the land around there, they allowed limiting hunting. Then some idiots in Cali shot at a power plant and either the gov't suggested or mandated that no hunting would occur on land owned by power plants. They even kicked the bowhunters off. One of them emailed me pics of mounts he had killed out there. I'll bet not one was under 160.
A few years back when TMPA owned most of the land around there, they allowed limiting hunting. Then some idiots in Cali shot at a power plant and either the gov't suggested or mandated that no hunting would occur on land owned by power plants. They even kicked the bowhunters off. One of them emailed me pics of mounts he had killed out there. I'll bet not one was under 160.
UmustBKidding said:
His comment was it was likely cheaper to truck vs rebuild unless the construction material is coming from long distance. If they produced product that would leave via rail would change the equation significantly. Also most chip production equipment is not happy with rail transport.
Maybe so - too soon to say. Using the Samsung Taylor fab as a comp, they opted for an adjacent (existing) rail delivery for about 1 million tons of aggregate. Either way, that's going to be a lot of trucks or railcars if the foundation design is similar.
With diesel at $5 it may be cheaper to get the spur back
Kenneth_2003 said:micahbright said:
I was about to say, I own an rv park out there and have already got plenty of calls from workers with contracts to clear the land for SpaceX
General FYI...
When I lived in S. Texas I saw a lot of this when the Eagle Ford shale activity first kicked off. Anyone that owns highway/road frontage in or around the area could look into this as an option. A lot of folks installed 1, 2, 3, 5 slot mini RV parks on their property along the road. Essentially for the price of a service drop, septic, a water well (or house tie-in), and some gravel/dirt work, they were getting a few hundred bucks a week per trailer.
Something to think about for those with a few bare acres.
Grimes county just updated their regulations for development last year, and this is not as simple as it was when I built. You have to pay a Professional Engineer to create a report and design drainage. Septic systems have to be twice the size as before. Grimes county is cracking down on people using home septics for RVs. It's just a lot more expensive to get in - not even mentioning inflation.
It's good business, just make sure you do it right.
Interesting.
I was out researching and looking at different properties for a client yesterday and wanted to show you from the ground level the clearing that is happening! What surprised me the most was the amount of topography changes in the land.
TLRS
TLRS
Can you reveal what property you were on?
Pretty close to the red dot
TLRS
That is looking out over land that used to be the Sealy Estate for years. Deep sand.
oklaunion said:
That is looking out over land that used to be the Sealy Estate for years. Deep sand.
What was the Sealy Estate?
AggiePhil said:oklaunion said:
That is looking out over land that used to be the Sealy Estate for years. Deep sand.
What was the Sealy Estate?
Sealy was a big land owner back in the day.
The left cannot kill the Spirit of Charlie Kirk.
Beat me to it! Can't wait to see the renderings when they start coming out.
TLRS
TLRS said:
Beat me to it! Can't wait to see the renderings when they start coming out.
I haven't found anything online.
Super excited to see these !!!
I hope I did not offend anybody with this post. If I did, please come see me at my address in my profile so we can talk.
Terafab will be built in Grimes County, Texas
— Tesla (@Tesla) August 6, 2026
In April, we broke ground on our research fab on the North Campus of Giga Texas – the precursor to Terafab.
Both Tesla &Â SpaceX will need far more chips than current &Â future global production can supply.
This is why we're building… pic.twitter.com/je4jKXuQrY
TLRS
The governor has issued his formal news release on Terafab. It includes exciting statements from him, Elon Musk, Judge Fauth, both school district superintendents, and our own Tom Johnson of the Greater Brazos Partnership (GBP).
This project is approved in all respects. Aggieland WILL be the region to get data centers out of our neighborhoods and into orbit- cooled by space instead of our water, and powered by the sun, instead of our electricity. Exciting times ahead.
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-spacex-expansion-in-grimes-county
This project is approved in all respects. Aggieland WILL be the region to get data centers out of our neighborhoods and into orbit- cooled by space instead of our water, and powered by the sun, instead of our electricity. Exciting times ahead.
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-spacex-expansion-in-grimes-county
Terafab Texas will be the largest and most valuable building on Earth by far.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 6, 2026
And it will be stunningly beautiful. pic.twitter.com/4NweOqTL7y
TLRS
Assuming this render is near to what they're actually building you can really get a sense of where it'll be on the ground.
Terafab pic.twitter.com/ot8vASZnBc
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 6, 2026
Bob Yancy said:
The governor has issued his formal news release on Terafab. It includes exciting statements from him, Elon Musk, Judge Fauth, both school district superintendents, and our own Tom Johnson of the Greater Brazos Partnership (GBP).
This project is approved in all respects. Aggieland WILL be the region to get data centers out of our neighborhoods and into orbit- cooled by space instead of our water, and powered by the sun, instead of our electricity. Exciting times ahead.
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-spacex-expansion-in-grimes-county
"Terabab will build advanced artificial intelligence (AI) logic and memory chips, multi-chip modules, and lithography masks under a single roof to bypass external supply chain bottlenecks"
Of course near orbit data centers (many small orbiting satellites) is the dream. The reality is that the chips needed for the electronics of the future will be built locally, avoiding overseas sources, that is the real news.
From the big space thread:
nortex97 said:The foundations for an exciting future are being built in Texas. Next up: Terafab → https://t.co/jGg52Zhn5I pic.twitter.com/SNfSXNr2tb
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 6, 2026
Neat video/update on Terafab.Quote:
Texas has become central to our operations through Starbase, Bastrop, and McGregor, thanks to its commitment to innovation, manufacturing, and American leadership. SpaceX's growing Texas footprint alone has already generated more than 56,000 direct and indirect jobs, over $28 billion in estimated economic impact since 2024, and hundreds of millions in indirect tax revenue since 2024.
The initial phase of Terafab is estimated to require approximately $16.8 billion in capital investments from SpaceX and Tesla, with potential future expansion phases bringing total investment much higher. This facility will employ at least 3,000 people, many of whom will be from Grimes and nearby Brazos County continuing the trend of our other Texas sites where between 60% and 80% of new hires are local residents.
Grimes County offers strategic advantages for long-term industrial investment, including infrastructure access, available land, and proximity to major Texas markets. This project represents a significant opportunity for skilled trades, construction employment, suppliers and contractors, and long-term technical workforce development. We intend to work with local schools and workforce partners to help create pathways for future employment opportunities, responding to the unique needs of each community.
SpaceX and Tesla also take our role as being good stewards of the environment seriously. The Terafab site is committing to the use of Gibbons Creek Reservoir water for industrial operations rather than local groundwater; planned on-site wastewater treatment facilities; water reuse and conservation efforts; compliance with all applicable environmental and pollution control laws; and management of hazardous materials, chemicals, and industrial byproducts in accordance with all applicable regulationswhile striving to exceed them.
The left cannot kill the Spirit of Charlie Kirk.
TLRS said:Terafab Texas will be the largest and most valuable building on Earth by far.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 6, 2026
And it will be stunningly beautiful. pic.twitter.com/4NweOqTL7y
This is nice, but the irony is that there is currently no (extended) four lane highway in Grimes county. The Grimes county commissioners voted against it, when they had their chance. Will they do so again in the future?
doubledog said:
This is nice, but the irony is that there is currently no (extended) four lane highway in Grimes county. The Grimes county commissioners voted against it, when they had their chance. Will they do so again in the future?
That was then; this is now. Time has a way of changing things, sometimes quicker than you expect.
The state did have the foresight to clear the right of way for a 4-lane Hwy 249 thru Grimes County to Hwy 105. The option is there if the political will and funding align.
Honestly, this is thinking way too small for how we are about to be completely transformed.
Not only will one road be widened...but I suspect BCS will triple in the next 20 years, if not sooner.
EVERY part of our infrastructure will be stretched thin.
That being said - we do not currently have local or state leaders that are visionary or proactive enough to deal with what is coming.
Not only will one road be widened...but I suspect BCS will triple in the next 20 years, if not sooner.
EVERY part of our infrastructure will be stretched thin.
That being said - we do not currently have local or state leaders that are visionary or proactive enough to deal with what is coming.
Blowing up the city's capital budget and erasing all future debt capacity through FY2034 on the cusp of something like this is a mistake, and unwise. Have to call it as I see it.
With respect to staff and my colleagues, I cannot vote for this budget as proposed. We need to take a deep breath and think about what we are doing.
We must keep at least some powder dry going into this. There will definitely be economic development opportunities that will inarguably require investment in infrastructure to bring jobs, business, and housing along the 30/Fitch corridor.
This is a strategic moment like no other in the history of College Station. We need to be ready for it.
This is my official position.
Respectfully, with an eye to the horizon.
Yancy '95 Place 5
With respect to staff and my colleagues, I cannot vote for this budget as proposed. We need to take a deep breath and think about what we are doing.
We must keep at least some powder dry going into this. There will definitely be economic development opportunities that will inarguably require investment in infrastructure to bring jobs, business, and housing along the 30/Fitch corridor.
This is a strategic moment like no other in the history of College Station. We need to be ready for it.
This is my official position.
Respectfully, with an eye to the horizon.
Yancy '95 Place 5
tu ag said:
Honestly, this is thinking way too small for how we are about to be completely transformed.
Not only will one road be widened...but I suspect BCS will triple in the next 20 years, if not sooner.
EVERY part of our infrastructure will be stretched thin.
That being said - we do not currently have local or state leaders that are visionary or proactive enough to deal with what is coming.
Just wait a few. Mr. Yancy is on this thread.
The left cannot kill the Spirit of Charlie Kirk.
I was simply responding to the post about a 4 lane highway in Grimes County, which was specific to Hwy 249.
I don't necessarily agree with the statement about local political leaders. This is still recent news. They need a bit of time to absorb it and consult with voters.
I don't necessarily agree with the statement about local political leaders. This is still recent news. They need a bit of time to absorb it and consult with voters.
I just compared that picture to the same area on Google Earth. If they complete it to that scale, the building will be 4.5 miles long and nearly a mile wide.
Are there any plans by the city to coordinate with Terafab on housing for the 3,000+ workers expected for the construction jobs?
If we cannot secure 380 agreements and get on the track with them, we will fall behind. We cannot allow what happened in Bryan to repeat itself in College Station when it comes to partnerships. At the same time, we cannot keep sitting on our hands and refuse to use tools like 380 agreements to grow responsibly.
A 380 agreement gives us the right to call for an audit of the partnering company whenever we deem it necessary, along with clawbacks to protect our money. That is exactly why I have been so vocal about our failure to use them.
This project will drive growth. We can shape that growth on our terms with smart investment and strategic land placement for new companies. If we do not, we will get steamrolled.
Building an arsenal of tools to stay ahead of the curve is imperative. I do not see that vision reflected in the current budget. I already delivered my remarks to Council detailing what is wrong with it and the near-certainty that they will raise the tax rate to the voter-approval limit. They have gained 3% in tax base but lost 2% in property valuations. To fund this $576 million budget, they will have no choice but to push the rate to the maximum.
How we invest and build over the next few years will decide whether this project consumes us, or whether we had the foresight to prepare responsibly for the citizens and taxpayers who will live with the consequences.
- Valen Cepak
Candidate for Place 5 College Station City Council
A 380 agreement gives us the right to call for an audit of the partnering company whenever we deem it necessary, along with clawbacks to protect our money. That is exactly why I have been so vocal about our failure to use them.
This project will drive growth. We can shape that growth on our terms with smart investment and strategic land placement for new companies. If we do not, we will get steamrolled.
Building an arsenal of tools to stay ahead of the curve is imperative. I do not see that vision reflected in the current budget. I already delivered my remarks to Council detailing what is wrong with it and the near-certainty that they will raise the tax rate to the voter-approval limit. They have gained 3% in tax base but lost 2% in property valuations. To fund this $576 million budget, they will have no choice but to push the rate to the maximum.
How we invest and build over the next few years will decide whether this project consumes us, or whether we had the foresight to prepare responsibly for the citizens and taxpayers who will live with the consequences.
- Valen Cepak
Candidate for Place 5 College Station City Council
Captn_Ag05 said:
Are there any plans by the city to coordinate with Terafab on housing for the 3,000+ workers expected for the construction jobs?
Not yet. I successfully moved for Terafab to be added as a future agenda item for workshop discussion. That should come before us soon. We must get out front of this.
Respectfully
Yancy '95 Place 5
Thank you, sir. CS is best situated to handle the influx of workers, but will have to be proactive and strategic for it to happen.
Correct. And voting against the 4 lane option has cost lives. Large number of accidents around 1774 where it transitions from 2 lane to 4 lane.