Expansion reinforces Richardson’s role as a hub for aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and innovation.

(Richardson, Texas) – Governor Greg Abbott today announced that Rockwell Collins dba Collins Aerospace will expand its aerospace manufacturing and R&D operations in Richardson and Collin County, a project that will bring more than 570 high-wage jobs and over $57 million in capital investment to the community. The expansion was supported by a Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant of $3.7 million and a local incentive package from the City of Richardson.

“Texas is ranked as the No. 1 state for attracting aerospace manufacturing,” said Governor Abbott. “This $57 million investment by Collins Aerospace to expand their manufacturing and R&D operations in Richardson will create more than 570 good-paying jobs for hardworking Texans and deliver innovative solutions right here in Texas. Partnering with industry leaders, we will ensure Texas remains the hub for aerospace, aviation, and defense for generations to come.”

Collins Aerospace, a global leader in intelligent solutions for the aerospace and defense industry, will renovate and expand two existing Richardson facilities located on E. CityLine Drive and E. Renner Road. The project will support two separate federal contracts and is expected to ramp up over the next five years.

“This expansion is a powerful testament to the strength of our business environment and the talent pipeline that supports it,” said Richardson City Manager Don Magner. “As a city, we are strategically focused on attracting high-wage, clean industries like aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and technology. These sectors reinforce our long-term economic resilience through both strong and weak business cycles. We’re proud Collins Aerospace continues to see Richardson as a place to call home.”

The announcement underscores Richardson’s position as a hub for research, development, and technology, with over 1,100 businesses and a robust innovation ecosystem supported by regional partners like the University of Texas at Dallas and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).

The expansion strengthens the City’s targeted industry clusters, which include:

• Advanced and Additive Manufacturing,
• Professional and Financial Services,
• Health and Life Sciences,
• Technology and Software, and
• Research and Development.

Total incentive package

The Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) is awarding the project $3.718 million. The funding supports the job creation and significant capital investment tied to manufacturing and R&D. The local incentive offer from Richardson includes a package valued at more than $1.8 million, also based on job creation and capital investment. Components include real and business personal property tax rebates, inventory tax rebates, and a job creation grant.

The incentive package aligns with the City’s economic development strategy to attract and retain transformative employers and reflects the State’s and City’s commitment to attracting high-impact, innovation-driven industries.

“The support from the State of Texas and the City of Richardson made the decision to expand our footprint an easy one,” said Collins Aerospace Vice President and General Manager for Strategic Solutions Philippe Limondin. “The state’s commitment to aerospace and defense is key to our continued success.”

How Richardson Creates A “Better Climate for Business”

Richardson offers one of the strongest business climates in North Texas due to a combination of factors including:

• Strategic Location in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
  • Richardson sits at the heart of the DFW region, with direct access to major highways, light rail (DART), and proximity to two major airports, making it ideal for regional, national, and international business operations.

• Thriving Industry Clusters
  • The city is home to robust clusters in technology, advanced manufacturing, and professional services. Major employers include Collins Aerospace, Raytheon, Fujitsu, State Farm, and Texas Instruments.
• Highly Educated Workforce & Talent Pipeline
  • Richardson is in proximity to a large skilled labor force, with a high percentage of area residents holding advanced degrees. The University of Texas at Dallas, located in Richardson, fuels innovation and provides a steady pipeline of tech-savvy graduates.

• Innovation-Friendly Infrastructure
  • The Richardson Innovation Quarter (The IQ®), a 1,200-acre innovation district, supports research, entrepreneurship, and Smart City applications. It serves as a collaborative hub for startups, corporations, and university research centers.

• Pro-Business Policies and Incentives
  • Richardson offers competitive incentive programs, streamlined permitting, and economic development tools like Chapter 380 agreements and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to support business growth and expansion.

• Stability Through Diversification
  • With a mix of industries of both domestic and international investment, Richardson’s economy is resilient through both strong and weak economic cycles.

Available incentives for Investing in Richardson

The City of Richardson’s Economic Development Department invites businesses considering expansion or relocation to apply for a range of incentives available to entities that demonstrate a commitment to significant capital investments, notable job retention or creation, or long-term lease agreements.

Grant opportunities are available for:

• Building modernization,
• Tenant improvement,
• Permit fee waivers, and
• Job creation.

Each application is evaluated to ensure alignment with Richardson’s goals of fostering economic growth and enhancing the community’s competitiveness.

About the City of Richardson

Located just north of Dallas, Richardson is a culturally diverse community offering a blend of urban amenities with exceptional suburban service. Richardson benefits from being home to The University of Texas at Dallas, a research powerhouse. UT Dallas’ influence is felt in the presence of dynamic businesses in sectors such as advanced additive manufacturing, biotechnology, finance, software development, and R&D, as well as hosting incubators for entrepreneurial start-ups. Richardson’s thriving, innovation-focused economy creates numerous opportunities while also supporting a historically stable local government capable of delivering high quality-of-life and exemplary services for a diverse array of neighborhoods and multi-modal transportation options, enabling easy access to the entire DFW Metroplex. The community is regularly recognized in third-party rankings as one of the best places in the nation to live, raise a family, start a career, go to school, buy a home, and retire.

www.richardsoneconomicdevelopment.com/about/newsroom

About the Texas Enterprise Fund

TEF is a performance-based grant that may be awarded to a new job-creating business relocation or expansion project for which one Texas site is competing with other out-of-state sites. Businesses applying for a TEF grant must commit to the creation of new, good-paying jobs in the community and to a significant new capital investment.

CONTACT: Greg Sowell, Communications Director, City of Richardson, 972-744-4218 (office), 972-897-2762 (cell), greg.sowell@cor.gov