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SpaceX and Tesla Plan $55 Billion Semiconductor Plant in Grimes County, Texas

SpaceX filed plans to build a multi-phase semiconductor plant called Terafab in Grimes County, Texas, with an initial $55 billion investment that could reach $119 billion. Tesla and SpaceX will jointly operate the facility, which targets AI chips for Tesla robotaxis and Optimus robots. County commissioners will consider a property tax abatement at a June 3 public meeting.

Usa Today
SA
Business Insider
3 sources·May 6, 5:59 AM(23 days ago)·1m read
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SpaceX and Tesla Plan $55 Billion Semiconductor Plant in Grimes County, Texastheverge.com
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SpaceX has filed plans to invest in a semiconductor manufacturing facility called Terafab in Grimes County, Texas. The initial phase carries an estimated capital investment of $55 billion, with the total for all phases estimated at $119 billion. Tesla and SpaceX will jointly operate the facility.

The project is described as a multi-phase, next-generation, vertically integrated semiconductor manufacturing and advanced computing fabrication facility. The filing states that the Terafab project would represent a transformative investment in domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity. m.

At the Grimes County Justice & Business Center to discuss approving a property tax abatement for the project. The proposed location is the Gibbons Creek Reservoir in rural Texas, about 100 miles from Tesla’s headquarters in Austin and close to College Station, home of Texas A&M University. Grimes County is a little over 2 hours from Austin.

Musk announced the joint Terafab project between SpaceX, xAI, and Tesla in March 2026. The facility aims to produce critical AI chips for Tesla’s robotaxis and Optimus robot. Morgan Stanley analysts estimated in March 2026 that a factory capable of producing chips at the scale Musk suggested could cost up to $45 billion.

The Terafab project has announced Intel as a partner. It has listed job ads including one role with a base salary of up to $240,000. SpaceX is preparing for what is expected to be the largest IPO in history.

Key Facts

Initial capital investment of $55 billion
For the first phase of the Terafab semiconductor facility in Grimes County, Texas.
Total estimated investment reaches $119 billion
Across all phases of the multi-phase, vertically integrated facility.
Joint operation by Tesla and SpaceX
The companies will run the plant that targets AI chips for robotaxis and Optimus robots.
Intel named as partner
The project has announced the U.S. chipmaker as a collaborator.
Job postings include $240,000 base salary
One listed role at the facility offers up to that compensation level.

Story Timeline

4 events
  1. March 2026

    Musk announced the joint Terafab project between SpaceX, xAI, and Tesla.

    1 sourceBusiness Insider
  2. March 2026

    Morgan Stanley analysts estimated a factory at the suggested scale could cost up to $45 billion.

    1 sourceBusiness Insider
  3. May 2026

    SpaceX filed plans with Grimes County Commissioner's Court for the Terafab facility.

    2 sourcesGrimes County public notice · USA Today
  4. June 3, 2026

    Grimes County Commissioners Court scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. at the Justice & Business Center to discuss property tax abatement.

    2 sourcesGrimes County Commissioner's Court · Sawyer Merritt

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Significant expansion of U.S. domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity in rural Texas

  2. 02

    Potential addition of high-salary technical jobs near Texas A&M University

  3. 03

    Increased capital demands on SpaceX ahead of its planned IPO

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced3
Framing risk18/100 (low)
Confidence score65%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count230 words
PublishedMay 6, 2026, 5:59 AM
Bias signals removed2 across 2 outlets
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1Speculative 1

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