Funding to Boost Innovation and Job Creation in Autonomous Systems
The Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) have awarded roughly $51 million to the Tulsa Hub for Equitable and Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA). This funding goals to bolster the region’s capabilities in autonomous systems through advanced manufacturing and the deployment of critical technologies for national and economic security. Tulsa is amongst 12 regions awarded funding from the EDA’s Tech Hubs program, chosen from 31 designated Tech Hub regions last fall.
Autonomous Systems Funding for Tulsa
Tulsa’s history of innovation, coupled with significant assets and federal investment akin to the 2022 EDA Construct Back Higher Regional Challenge award, positions the region to boost U.S. leadership in equitable and trustworthy autonomous systems. These include uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), autonomous vehicles, drones, and robotics, with applications spanning agriculture, pipeline inspections, and regional transportation.
“Tulsa Innovation Labs has long believed there is no such thing as a city within the country as well-equipped to steer this next era of commercial innovation as Tulsa,” said Jennifer Hankins, managing director of Tulsa Innovation Labs. “With a legacy shaped by aerospace and manufacturing, Tulsa is pioneering the longer term of innovation. In partnership with Osage Nation, Cherokee Nation, Black Tech Street amongst others, our community is able to cleared the path developing these technologies with a commitment to security and trustworthiness, ensuring the advantages and jobs are widely accessible.”
The EDA’s Tech Hubs funding goals to position the Greater Tulsa Region to tap into the $1.36 trillion global autonomous systems market, potentially creating as much as 56,000 latest jobs over the subsequent decade. Innovations on this sector are crucial for each economic competitiveness and national security, from protecting Americans on the battlefield to delivering medicine to rural communities. The funding supports the event of technologies which are “Tested and Made in Tulsa, USA.”
Six projects will probably be funded to drive innovation in autonomous technologies:
- Increasing coordination on commercialization strategies amongst universities and startups.
- Constructing a state-of-the-art testing and simulation environment focused on cyber and data management.
- Developing programs to discover opportunities for manufacturers in autonomous systems supply chains and establishing a producing demonstration center for scaling small corporations.
- Creating an AI Center of Excellence to expand technology exposure for underserved communities.
- Expanding workforce programs to align training with industry needs and supply upskilling and on-the-job training opportunities.
- Establishing governance structures to execute projects, pursue additional funding, and drive the Tech Hub’s strategy.
The ultimate grant amount will probably be confirmed in the approaching months.
The THETA initiative is led by a steering committee that features Black Tech Street (BTS), Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB), L3Harris Aeromet, Madison Strategies Group (MSG), NORDAM, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Osage LLC, PartnerTulsa, Radius Capital, The University of Tulsa (TU), Tulsa Community College (TCC), and Tulsa Economic Development Corporation (TEDC).
“We’re at all times excited to see a project akin to THETA that improves the regional economy and has the potential to assist Cherokee Nation Businesses expand into the autonomous systems and component manufacturing industry, support growing defense and business needs and shore up critical supply chains,” said Chuck Garrett, CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC (CNB). “This project coincides with Cherokee Nation’s approach to enhance the lives of its residents and strengthen the regional economy of northeastern Oklahoma.”
“The Greenwood AI/AS Center of Excellence (G-ACE) opens the door for Black Tulsans to secure good jobs in tech,” said Tyrance Billingsley II, founder and executive director of Black Tech Street. “The Black Tech Street vision is to rebirth Black Wall Street into the world’s premier Black innovation economy. Putting G-ACE within the Historic Greenwood District honors the legacy of this neighborhood, and with Microsoft’s partnership we’re delivering on the BTS mission to catalyze Black wealth creation within the Greater Tulsa Region and beyond.”
“Osage LLC’s commitment to the expansion and success of the region is clear through our track record of successful collaboration with several THETA partners and our development at Skyway 36,” said Russell Goff, CEO of Osage LLC. “We’re thrilled to proceed this essential work through THETA’s SAFE-T project, which can create additional research and development opportunities, further increasing the attractiveness of our region to drone and autonomous systems corporations.”
The Tulsa award is a component of the EDA Tech Hubs program, a $500 million investment aimed toward technologies critical to national security and U.S. economic competitiveness. The Tulsa Hub for Equitable and Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA) proposal includes over 75 partners from private and non-private sectors.
“A various, resilient, and inclusive industry base that harnesses the abilities of many ensures that advantages are shared widely,” said Ken Levit, executive director of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. “Due to the leadership of Tulsa Innovation Labs and to visionary partners akin to the EDA, this investment in Tulsa’s regional economy will amplify our local efforts to make sure Tulsa is a thriving community that affords opportunities to all.”
For more information on THETA and a full list of partners, visit TechHubTulsa.com.