Lance Winter
BUDA — A robotics company founded by two former SpaceX engineers officially opened its new headquarters in Buda Friday, July 10, marking the latest addition to the city's growing technology and robotics sector.
TerraFirma Inc. relocated from Austin to a 40,000-square-foot facility at Tower Business Park, where the company hosted a grand opening for its new "Robot Ranch." The facility will serve as the company's headquarters and house research, design and testing operations for its construction robotics technology.
Founded in 2023 by Noah Schochet and Noah McGuinness, TerraFirma designs and manufactures robotics for construction applications, including excavation, site work and demolition. The company has said its long-term goal is to eventually adapt its technology for use on Mars.
The move to Buda follows the city's approval in March of an incentive package valued at $412,500 to attract the company. According to city documents, TerraFirma plans to hire hundreds of employees over the next several years.
"We are excited to officially welcome TerraFirma to their intergalactic headquarters, now located in Buda, Texas," said Jennifer Storm, CEO of the Buda Economic Development Corporation. "Locating in Buda will create high-quality, long-term jobs in engineering, skilled equipment operations, robotics maintenance and construction management. This move further demonstrates that Buda offers a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting advanced, high-paying technology jobs."
Storm said the relocation also strengthens Buda's emerging artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics industry.
"As these companies expand, they bring high-quality employment opportunities and increased disposable income, strengthening and supporting local businesses," she added.
The new headquarters brings TerraFirma's operations under one roof, while providing dedicated outdoor space to test its robotic and AI-powered construction equipment. Company officials said the expanded facility will help meet growing demand and fulfill recently secured contracts.
TerraFirma's technology is designed to address challenges facing the construction industry, including labor shortages, rising costs and increasing infrastructure demand, by combining robotics, software and field operations to improve productivity.
Schochet said, in a news release provided by Buda EDC, that the city offers the right environment for the company's continued growth.
"The region's strong workforce, proximity to major metropolitan markets and growing tech and AI community create the right environment for us to scale both our technology and our mission,” he said.
McGuinness added that he credits the Buda EDC with helping the company establish its new headquarters.
"We are focused on building tools that remove bottlenecks in construction and ultimately, make the industry faster, safer and more cost-effective," McGuinness said.
In the release, Mayor Lee Urbanovsky said the relocation aligns with the city's long-term economic development goals.
"This project brings hundreds of high-tech, in-demand jobs to our community and directly supports our strategic plan. It is exactly the type of innovation-focused, high-wage employer we aim to recruit to Buda, strengthening our reputation as a location for advanced industrial and robotics-focused businesses and helping attract complementary employers and investment over time,” Urbanovsky said. “This move reinforces Buda's position as an emerging hub for technology and innovation."
