Texas Tech University will begin work on a School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo thanks to funding appropriated by the state government as well as private support. According to a Texas Tech press release, the recent state budget signed by Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, included $17.35 million for Texas Tech to begin the process of recruiting faculty, designing curriculum and gaining accreditation. Texas Tech has already received $90 million from donors and civic leaders to begin construction at the site of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo. Texas Tech anticipates opening the school in 2021.