Tulsa Innovation Labs recently received a $51 million grant from the Federal Economic Development Administration to develop new drone and AI-related technologies. The grant will also be used to train a workforce in this field, with Tyrance Billingsly of Black Tech Street leading the efforts.
The grant has enabled Black Tech Street to establish an AI center of excellence in Greenwood, which aims to establish the area as a model for responsible AI use in the country. Jennifer Hankins, Managing Director of Tulsa Innovation Labs, emphasized that the grant programming will build on Tulsa’s historical expertise in industries such as aerospace, manufacturing, defense, and energy.
The Atlas School, a software training program, intends to expand its offerings to assist other recipients of the grant money. Libby Ediger from the Atlas School highlighted the importance of building physical infrastructure for testing drones to attract companies that can develop and test these systems, creating new job opportunities. The school aims to bridge the talent gap so that these new jobs can flourish in Tulsa.
Last year, Tulsa was designated a “Tech Hub” by the Biden Administration, which contributed to securing the competitive grant award. Tulsa is among a select group of cities that received funding through the program.