Texas Governor Greg Abbott announces major investment in Texas Tech to strengthen critical infrastructure protections against foreign threats
Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott announced last week that the Governor’s Public Safety Office has awarded $149 million to Texas Tech University to expand cybersecurity efforts and develop a new Electromagnetic Pulse testing site. The funding marks one of the largest recent investments aimed at strengthening protections for critical infrastructure in Texas and across the country.
According to the governor, the grant will help ensure that vital systems can endure attacks from hostile foreign adversaries. He said the investment builds on Texas’ broader push to fortify infrastructure against hackers and foreign threats, noting that researchers at Texas Tech are already leading national efforts to defend key systems. Abbott added that initiatives such as the Texas Cyber Command, along with continued security funding, are positioning the state as a national leader in cybersecurity.
The funding will support the development of an EMP testing site and enhancements to cybersecurity infrastructure at Texas Tech. Lawmakers praised the move as a major step forward. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said the university has earned recognition for advancing national security research and innovation. He emphasized that the investment will expand work underway at the Reese National Security Complex, strengthening protections for critical infrastructure and reinforcing defense capabilities.
State Senator Charles Perry highlighted the regional impact, saying the project places West Texas at the forefront of efforts to shield the electric grid, water systems, and military assets from emerging threats. He described the initiative as both a national security advancement and an opportunity for workforce development in Lubbock and surrounding communities.
The grant will fund research focused on identifying weaknesses in essential systems and improving their resilience. Areas of emphasis include the electric grid, water utilities, communications networks, military systems, and other infrastructure central to economic stability and national defense. Texas Tech will collaborate with the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Energy, and private industry partners to advance both research and workforce training.
The Governor’s Public Safety Office, which oversees the grant, manages state and federal programs aimed at protecting lives and property from a wide range of threats. Through partnerships at every level of government, the office works to strengthen infrastructure security and safeguard Texas’ economic future.
