A federal spending package passed by Congress and signed into law in December will boost a number of infrastructure projects at The University of Texas at Dallas. The spending package provides $3 million to develop workforce training for the region’s growing semiconductor industry through UTD’s new North Texas Semiconductor Institute, whose first initiative — the Center for Harsh Environment Semiconductors and Systems — recently opened. In North Texas, Texas Instruments (TI), Coherent and Globitech Inc. are constructing new semiconductor manufacturing plants in Sherman. The projects will form the foundation for small-business growth for targeted underserved populations in the city of Richardson and in Collin and Dallas counties, and will expand to other North Texas areas over time. “These initiatives will go a long way in supporting important research and educational programs that benefit the North Texas region.