'Transformational' money coming to TTU/Lubbock
- By Lubbockist
- Inside The Double T
- 122 Replies
I've spoken to three folks in the past week - one in a state rep's office, one with TTU gov't relations, and one with the TTU PAC. The sentiment was the same that this was a transformative legislative session for Texas Tech. We will be receiving the largest regular legislative appropriation in the university's history - somewhere in the ballpark of $300 million/yr for 2026/2027. There is TUF fund and some formula funding on top of that but I'm not smart enough to get the full total. Just know it's a lot.
But on top of that, Texas Tech is going to be a major player in classified national security research. We're talking partnerships with the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Air Force, Army Futures Command, Sandia Labs, etc. These are projects and contracts that UT and A&M want, and are more traditionally positioned to receive, but it's going to come here instead. Why? Because neither of them has a facility like the former Reese Air Force Base with the space to do the things the government wants to do (whatever that ends up being).
Below is money on top of that general appropriation above, that has been supplemented into the current budget cycle (so we'll get it basically immediately):
Just a mind blowing figure. And to put that into even more perspective, the state appropriation for the vet school that we all cheered and patted ourselves on the back for in 2019? $17 million.
If that wasn't staggering enough, this is just the seed money to build the labs and infrastructure. The real impact comes from the research grants that flow into these programs from the federal government and also private contractors like Lockheed, Raytheon, etc. Federal research spending is the #1 most important component for AAU membership, and defense is the #1 largest checkbook in the federal government. This could put us decades closer to that goal in just a couple of years.
I've been told there have been several delegations (both government and private) to visit the site and they are extremely excited about the opportunities. The military-length runway infrastructure, the weather, the (relative) isolation from populated areas, the proximity to Dyess/Cannon AFBs and White Sands, and the local business/political climate. It has everything they need, and everything those other two Texas universities can't provide them.
I don't want to overhype this too much, but I think it's hard to overhype the impact this could have on the university's standing in the pecking order of things, as well as the economic impact on the area. So whatever you think about their stances on other issues, this absolutely doesn't happen without Sen. Perry, Rep. Tepper, and of course Speaker Burrows. So Guns up to those guys. Now it'll be Jodey Arrington's turn as Chairman of the US House Budget Committee to get all that defense money flowing.
It still has to be signed by the governor and after that happens you will see some announcements made by Tech about this stuff, but it's incredibly exciting and it's all going to happen very fast.
We might need to change our slogan from "From Here, it's Possible" to:
"From Here,
"
*Standard disclaimer that I'm just an idiot with an internet connection so if anyone with more expertise wants to correct me on anything, don't hesitate.
But on top of that, Texas Tech is going to be a major player in classified national security research. We're talking partnerships with the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Air Force, Army Futures Command, Sandia Labs, etc. These are projects and contracts that UT and A&M want, and are more traditionally positioned to receive, but it's going to come here instead. Why? Because neither of them has a facility like the former Reese Air Force Base with the space to do the things the government wants to do (whatever that ends up being).
Below is money on top of that general appropriation above, that has been supplemented into the current budget cycle (so we'll get it basically immediately):
- $40 million for airport/runway upgrades at Reese
- $114 million for an Electromagnetic Pulse site
- $71 million for a Pulsed Power Clean Room
- $35 million for "critical cybersecurity infrastructure" (read: keep the commies out)
- $120 million for an advanced nuclear reactor and research related to water desalination
Just a mind blowing figure. And to put that into even more perspective, the state appropriation for the vet school that we all cheered and patted ourselves on the back for in 2019? $17 million.
If that wasn't staggering enough, this is just the seed money to build the labs and infrastructure. The real impact comes from the research grants that flow into these programs from the federal government and also private contractors like Lockheed, Raytheon, etc. Federal research spending is the #1 most important component for AAU membership, and defense is the #1 largest checkbook in the federal government. This could put us decades closer to that goal in just a couple of years.
I've been told there have been several delegations (both government and private) to visit the site and they are extremely excited about the opportunities. The military-length runway infrastructure, the weather, the (relative) isolation from populated areas, the proximity to Dyess/Cannon AFBs and White Sands, and the local business/political climate. It has everything they need, and everything those other two Texas universities can't provide them.
I don't want to overhype this too much, but I think it's hard to overhype the impact this could have on the university's standing in the pecking order of things, as well as the economic impact on the area. So whatever you think about their stances on other issues, this absolutely doesn't happen without Sen. Perry, Rep. Tepper, and of course Speaker Burrows. So Guns up to those guys. Now it'll be Jodey Arrington's turn as Chairman of the US House Budget Committee to get all that defense money flowing.
It still has to be signed by the governor and after that happens you will see some announcements made by Tech about this stuff, but it's incredibly exciting and it's all going to happen very fast.
We might need to change our slogan from "From Here, it's Possible" to:
"From Here,
*Standard disclaimer that I'm just an idiot with an internet connection so if anyone with more expertise wants to correct me on anything, don't hesitate.
RECRUITING: Texas Tech Softball Transfer Portal & Offseason Thread (NEW COMMIT 6/7!)
- By S. Hilliard
- Inside The Double T
- 124 Replies
UPDATE: ESPN: NiJaree Canady signs new 7 figure NIL contract with Texas Tech
- By B. Golan
- Inside The Double T
- 144 Replies
Canady signs new 7-figure deal with Texas Tech
Texas Tech superstar pitcher NiJaree Canady has signed another seven-figure deal with Texas Tech.
Texas Tech superstar pitcher NiJaree Canady was the first $1 million softball player. She's also the second.
Canady has signed another seven-figure NIL contract with the Matador Club, the Red Raiders collective, her manager Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management told ESPN.
Canady has led Texas Tech to the national championship series, which will be decided Friday night against Texas on ESPN.
Canady has consistently said she intended to stay at Texas Tech, but questions persisted as to whether she would enter the NCAA transfer portal again after another record-setting season to see what her value would be.
By signing another seven figure contract with Tech, Canady now puts those questions to rest. Shelby said that was important so that she and her team could focus on the World Series run.
"Nija Canady is the most electrifying player in softball. She's box office and she goes out every day and competes," Shelby told ESPN. "The decision to stay at Tech was not difficult. This program has taken care of her. They have showed how much she is appreciated. The entire staff, her teammates, the school in general have been great. Tonight she is playing for a national championship and she is making history. Everything she wants from this game she can get here at Texas Tech."
Canady made headlines last season when she transferred from Stanford after leading the Cardinal two straight World Series appearances and winning the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award. Tech made a record-setting offer to pry her away and she has more than delivered, leading the Red Raiders to the brink of a national championship.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes even attended the Red Raiders 4-3 win in Game 2 of the championship series on Thursday night. Mahomes played at Tech from 2014-16 and has developed a strong relationship with Canady since she's been at Tech.
Canady was named a first team All-American for the third consecutive year this season.
UPDATE: A decision on the House settlement has been made…
- By J. Ramirez
- Inside The Double T
- 185 Replies
