This EDA investment supports the west texas aerospace and defense manufacturing coalition, led by the university of texas at EL paso (utep), with strengthening the aerospace and defense (a & d) sector…

The University of Texas at El Paso received an $18.75 million project grant award from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration on September 8, 2022 under the Economic Adjustment Assistance program.

The grant funds the West Texas Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Coalition led by UTEP to strengthen the aerospace and defense sector in West Texas. Key initiatives include establishing the El Paso Makes Advanced Manufacturing District for co-locating firms with research and security infrastructure required for aerospace and defense supply chains. Additional funding expands access to services to help local manufacturers and workers enter these supply chains. The investment is intended to develop regional industry clusters in aerospace and defense while promoting economic equity and job growth.

The University of Texas System serves as the parent organization for UTEP, which leads implementation of the grant to benefit West Texas through cluster development, workforce training, and supply chain integration activities.

This EDA investment supports the west texas aerospace and defense manufacturing coalition, led by the university of texas at EL paso (utep), with strengthening the aerospace and defense (a & d) sector in west texas by integrating legacy manufacturers in the region into the a & d supply chain. Projects funded as part of this award include establishing the EL paso makes advanced manufacturing district where firms can CO-locate with research and innovation assets while also benefiting from the physical and cybersecurity infrastructure required to participate in the a & d market. Additional funding will expand access to a suite of services for local manufacturers and workers to create reliable on-ramps into a & d supply chains. Once implemented, the investment will help develop and strengthen regional industry clusters - all while embracing economic equity, creating good-paying jobs, and enhancing U.S. Competitiveness globally.