The federal government has named Tulsa a “Tech Hub” — a designation that opens the door to up to $75 million in federal funding for a local consortium working to establish the region as a global leader in advanced autonomous technologies.
Tulsa was one of 31 technology hubs selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration as part of a $500 million investment to strengthen the country’s economic and national security.
The Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA) will focus its work on technologies such as unmanned aircraft systems, drones, cybersecurity and generative artificial intelligence.
Monday’s announcement was made by Tulsa Innovation Labs in a press release. Tulsa Innovation Labs and other local partners are leading the THETA initiative.
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“The autonomous systems revolution is just around the corner, and this distinction from the EDA shows that the Greater Tulsa region is uniquely positioned to lead innovation in these technologies that are critical to our country,” said Jennifer Hankins, executive director of Tulsa Innovation Labs. “The Tech Hub designation is also an important endorsement of TIL’s technology-focused economic development strategy for the region, ‘Tulsa’s Tech Niche.’
“This moment reaffirms Tulsa’s position as a national leader in unmanned aircraft systems, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and other complementary industries.”
The $75 million in federal funds Tulsa can apply will be used to implement its proposal.
According to the press release, THETA will use the funds to transform the Tulsa region “into the world’s leading source of autonomous systems innovation and talent, expanding equitable economic opportunities throughout the Tulsa region and ensuring that all Tulsans participate in the region’s resurgence.” can participate.” .”
What this could mean for economic development and employment is significant. According to the press release, Tulsa hopes to capture $4 billion of the $1.36 trillion global autonomous systems market, with the goal of creating nearly 200,000 new jobs over the next 10 years.
In terms of equity, Tulsa could add up to 66,000 women and nearly 40,000 Black, Latino and Native American workers to the local autonomous technology industry.
“Black Tech Street’s vision to revitalize Black Wall Street into a world-class Black Innovation Economy is strongly reflected and represented in this THETA proposal,” said Tyrance Billingsley II, Executive Director of Black Tech Street. “By placing Black Tulsans and the legacy of the historic Greenwood District at the center of these efforts, we can advance our mission of advancing Black wealth creation in our region and across the country.”
The consortium behind the Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy proposal includes 50 partners from the public and private sectors.
Among them is the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which led the effort to create the Tulsa Innovation Labs.
“We believe this appointment is a pivotal moment for Tulsa,” said Ken Levit, executive director of GKFF. “The consultative and collaborative work of Tulsa’s private and public sector partners in recent years is opening new frontiers for all Tulsans.
“We strive 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 shows the world that something important is happening here.”
The Tech Hubs program was authorized as part of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
In an EDA press release, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said this is part of President Biden’s efforts to “innovate and outperform the rest of the world.”
“Our Tech Hubs program is fundamental to this mission and will advance innovation across the country by stimulating investment in cutting-edge technology and creating 21st century jobs in people’s backyards,” Raimondo said. “Each of these consortia will help us ensure that the industries of the future – and their good-paying jobs – are created, grown and retained in the United States.”
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