SW Oklahoma ARPA Regional Alliance - City of Lawton

PROJECT PURPOSE

The Advanced Materials Center for Excellence will be developed with the Fires Innovation and Technology Accelerator (FISTA) in collaboration with our Oklahoma Universities. In order to prototype advanced capabilities, the FISTA will need the equipment necessary to work with composite metals and do additive manufacturing. This equipment will support ongoing projects (enabling fabrication of components locally, rather than buying them from another location) and enable us to support advanced prototyping going forward. This collaborative approach is a win for Fort Sill as it strengthens our position as the focus for Air Defense and Long Range Precision Artillery; a win for the FISTA as the center will attract the defense industry to our facility; and win for the universities and students as they will be able to study and develop tomorrows technology as part of their education.

EVIDENCE

This project supports Fort Sill as it strengthens our position as the focus for Air Defense and Long Range Precision Artillery; supports the FISTA as the center will attract the defense industry to our facility; and supports he universities and students as they will be able to study and develop tomorrows technology as part of their education.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

While Southwest Oklahoma continues to work very hard to improve conditions for our citizens, we continue to struggle with poverty and decline. With 18.5% of our population in poverty and only 45% of our households in owner occupied homes. Our median household income of just less than $48,000 is more than 10% below that of the state. Lawton is a very diverse, inclusive and progressive community, but we lack the resources to create the kind of community improvement projects that can move us economically to the next level. Southwestern Oklahoma has felt impact of the pandemic through stagnant revenues and significantly increasing costs due to supply delays and labor shortage. The this project along with the FISTA has the ability to transform the educational perspective of Southwestern Oklahoma in a single generation.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Attendance of the Advanced Materials Center for Excellence can be measured directly.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma