US Cabinet member visits Austin Community College

As Central Texas continues to have a growing presence in the semiconductor industry, a U.S. Cabinet member paid a visit to one of Austin's local colleges on Monday.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Central Texas continues to have a growing presence in the semiconductor industry, a U.S. Cabinet member paid a visit to one of Austin's local colleges on Monday.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stopped by Austin Community College District Highland campus to learn about the college's manufacturing and semiconductor training programs.

Raimondo toured ACC's impact lab and met with students. ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell-Lowery Hart said the college is part of a broader ecosystem that will change what our area looks like over the next 20 years.

"We're not just going to be the epicenter for Texas or for the country and semiconductor work, but for the world. And to have dignitaries from the White House and from the most prominent elected officials talk about Central Texas in those terms was exciting," the chancellor said.

The visit comes just a few weeks after ACC, the University of Texas Austin and the Texas Institute for Electronics announced a partnership to make Central Texas a hub for workforce development in the semiconductor industry.