Monday, October 23, 2023
Media Contact:
Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | mack.burke_iv@okstate.edu
OSU part of Tulsa consortium now eligible for up to $75 million in federal funding
to accelerate advanced development of autonomous technologies
The U.S. Economic Development Administration has named Tulsa a “Tech Hub” as part
of a historic $500 million investment in U.S. economic competitiveness and national
security.
Tulsa’s proposal, the Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy, will advance
the development of autonomous technologies, such as uncrewed aerial systems, drones,
cybersecurity and generative artificial intelligence. THETA was led by Tulsa Innovation
Labs — an initiative of the George Kaiser Family Foundation — and coalition members
Oklahoma State University, Black Tech Street, Madison Strategies Group, PartnerTulsa,
the University of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College and Tulsa Economic Development Corporation.
“The autonomous systems revolution is upon us, and it is evident through this distinction
from the EDA that the Greater Tulsa Region is uniquely positioned to lead innovation
in these technologies, which are critical to our country,” said Jennifer Hankins,
managing director of TIL. “The Tech Hubs designation is also an important validation
of TIL’s tech-led economic development strategy for the region, ‘Tulsa’s Tech Niche.’ This moment affirms Tulsa’s position as a nationwide leader in uncrewed aerial
systems, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and other complementary industries.”
The Tech Hubs designation affirms that American leadership in science and technology
is firmly rooted in the Tulsa region. THETA will develop, deploy and manufacture the
next generation of technological innovations in autonomous technologies specifically
focused on counter-UAS, agriculture and pipeline inspection, parcel delivery, and
urban and regional mobility. THETA ensures these innovations and the quality jobs
they bring will start, grow and remain in the Greater Tulsa Region.
“As Oklahoma’s land-grant university, we are deeply committed to the aerospace industry
and are proud to see our visionary leadership in UAS and advanced air mobility research
and technology development acknowledged in such a significant way,” OSU President
Kayse Shrum said. “This designation solidifies OSU as the premier university for the
next generation of aerospace technologies, which will continue to have a meaningful
impact on Tulsa, our state and Oklahoma State University.”
TU President Brad Carson said the future is exciting for Tulsa with this partnership.
“The University of Tulsa has long been recognized as a top cybersecurity research
university with ongoing applications in critical infrastructure protection, smart
environments and robotics,” he said. “We are proud to be a part of this coalition
of partners dedicated to making Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma a center of gravity
for critical cyber, autonomy and human-machine teaming innovations that improve our
national security. By partnering together and sharing expertise, Tulsa is poised to
become globally competitive in these technologies.”
THETA was one of 31 Tech Hubs designees chosen from a pool of 197 applicants. The
Tech Hubs designation makes Tulsa eligible to apply for up to $75 million in implementation
funding from the EDA in Phase 2 of the Tech Hubs Program. THETA will leverage these
funds to transform the Greater Tulsa Region into the world’s leading source of innovations
and talent in autonomous systems, expanding equitable economic opportunities across
the Tulsa region, ensuring all Tulsans are able to participate in the region’s resurgence.
“This is an incredible moment for Tulsa and northeastern Oklahoma, indicative of our
promising economic future and a testament to the tireless work and creativity of countless
partners across the region,” said Kian Kamas, executive director of PartnerTulsa.
“PartnerTulsa’s mission is to increase economic opportunities for our citizens and
establish a more resilient regional economy. A Tech Hubs designation pushes us closer
to our goal of expanding access to all Tulsans and building a more equitable economy.”
With the Tech Hubs distinction, the Greater Tulsa Region is set to capture $4 billion
of the $1.36 trillion global autonomous systems market, with the goal of creating
nearly 200,000 new jobs in the next decade. Through THETA’s intentional focus on equity,
Tulsa will have an opportunity to add 66,000 women and 39,000 Black, Latinx and Native
American individuals to the region’s workforce in autonomous systems-related occupations,
with wages $7,000 higher than the regional average.
“The Black Tech Street vision to rebirth Black Wall Street into a premier Black Innovation
Economy is strongly reflected and represented in this THETA proposal,” said Tyrance
Billingsley II, executive director of Black Tech Street. “By centering Black Tulsans
and the legacy of the Historic Greenwood District within this effort, we are able
to further this mission of catalyzing Black wealth creation in our region and across
the country.”
The consortium that participated in the Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy
proposal, which resulted in the Tech Hubs designation, includes 50 partners across
public and private sectors.
“We believe this designation is a defining moment for Tulsa. The deliberative and
collaborative work of Tulsa’s private and public sector partners in recent years is
opening up new frontiers for all Tulsans,” said Ken Levit, executive director of the
George Kaiser Family Foundation. “We are aspiring to build a vibrant, energetic and
inclusive economy in Tulsa that is a model for this nation. This designation of Tulsa
as a Tech Hub tells the world that something important is happening here. The George
Kaiser Family Foundation will continue to support the effort to realize Tulsa’s full
potential under this initiative as we work together to become a globally competitive
city that prospers for all.”
The Tech Hubs designees will now compete for Phase 2 of the funding for implementation
projects to help propel the region into a self-sustaining, globally competitive Tech
Hub.
