THIS EDA INVESTMENT SUPPORTS THE WEST TEXAS AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE MANUFACTURING COALITION, LED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO, WITH THEIR PROPOSAL TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN AMERICA'S AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES BY DEVELOPING THE EL PASO MAKES ADVANCED DISTRICT AND WEST TEXAS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CORRIDOR. THE COALITION PROPOSES INVESTMENTS THAT WOULD REINVENT WEST TEXAS'S HISTORICAL ROOTS IN MANUFACTURING AND HELP CLOSE AMERICA'S GAP IN AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES.