Texas Southern expands aviation program with new Houston Spaceport hangar

The big picture: A new 20,000-square-foot hangar at the Houston Spaceport — backed by $5.5 million from the city — will serve as a satellite campus for the historically Black university's aviation program.

Zoom in: The facility includes about 4,500 square feet of classroom and office space for onsite instruction and future aerospace engineering coursework.

• It also houses 12 newly acquired aircraft.

What they're saying: "This partnership enhances our aviation program for current students and future aviators who choose to pursue their degree at Texas Southern," university president J.W. Crawford III said in a statement.

• "This is how we grow a city in the right way — by investing in workforce development, aligning education with industry and making sure our residents are prepared to lead in the industries of tomorrow," said Houston City Council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz.

Context: With more than 200 students enrolled, the aviation program has seen its second consecutive year of record-breaking enrollment, per the university.

• TSU has also been building ties with major airlines, including United, Southwest and Delta.