The Federal Economic Development Administration has awarded a $51 million grant to a tech innovation consortium in Tulsa, led by Tulsa Innovation Labs. The consortium plans to develop new drone and related technologies and train a workforce around it, with a focus on autonomous and AI-related projects. The grant will also support the establishment of an AI center of excellence in Greenwood, aimed at positioning Greenwood as a blueprint for responsible AI in the country.
Tulsa was named a “Tech Hub” by the Biden Administration last year, leading to the competitive grant award. The grant programming will build on Tulsa’s historical expertise in aerospace, manufacturing, defense, and energy industries, with the goal of keeping innovation and job opportunities local. The Atlas School, a software training program, plans to expand its offerings to support the other recipients of the grant money in filling the talent gap.
With the grant funding, physical infrastructure will be built in Tulsa for testing drones, attracting companies to build and test new systems that will create new jobs. The goal is for these new jobs to exist in the city by filling the talent gap and ensuring that innovation in industries such as aerospace and defense continues to grow in Tulsa. The consortium includes universities, tribes, and individual recipients involved in various technology projects.
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