July 17, 2024 - Southern Business & Development

Oklahoma Celebrates $51 Million Investment in Tulsa Region’s Tech Hub

Posted on July 17, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Governor Kevin Stitt released a statement celebrating the $51 million federal investment in Tulsa’s Tech Hub. The Tech Hub, which focuses on autonomous technologies such as drones, will make Tulsa the world’s leading destination for innovation, investment and talent in this technology and will find uses in industries spanning agriculture, defense, energy, health care, manufacturing and beyond.

“Oklahoma has a long legacy of excellence in aviation, defense and manufacturing, which makes our great state the ideal location to lead the development of the next generation of autonomous technologies,” said Governor Stitt. “The future of autonomous systems is right here in Oklahoma, and I am thrilled to see the innovations Oklahoma companies are generating as we continue to become a top 10 state.”

Led by Tulsa Innovation Labs – an initiative of the George Kaiser Family Foundation – Tulsa received a “Tech Hub” designation in October 2023 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), recognizing northeastern Oklahoma’s potential to become globally competitive in the development of autonomous systems, such as drones. The designation also allowed the region to apply for implementation funding as part of EDA’s Tech Hubs Program, which aims to strengthen U.S. economic and national security. Through various projects and initiatives, THETA will create nearly 60,000 good jobs with wages higher than the current regional average.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Med tech company to add 50 jobs, spend $65 million in Durham, N.C.

Posted on July 17, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

A California-based medical technology company plans to spend $65 million and add more than 50 jobs to its operations in Durham.

The 57,000-square-foot expansion at Science Corp.’s TW Alexander Drive location will support semiconductor manufacturing for new technologies, including for a visual prosthesis.

Science Corp. is in the field of brain-computer irknterfaces. The company is working to restore quality of life to those with debilitating conditions for which there are no treatment options, creating devices aimed at restoring vision, cognition and mobility to patients who have lost it.

Its first product in development, the Science Eye, deploys brain-computer interface technology with the goal of restoring vision to blind patients with retinitis pigmentosa and dry age-related macular degeneration.

Business NC

Shipbuilder Austal to add over 1,000 jobs at its downtown Mobile, Ala. complex

Posted on July 17, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

MOBILE, Alabama — Austal USA announced plans today to expand its Mobile shipyard with the construction of an additional waterfront assembly facility to support the growth of shipbuilding in Alabama’s Port City.

The expansion project, fueled by a capital investment of more than $288 million, is set to create 1,032 new jobs over the next four years, according to the Mobile Chamber.

Austal announced its plans at a ceremonial groundbreaking at its facility this morning.

“This groundbreaking ceremony represents a significant milestone for the city of Mobile, the state of Alabama and the U.S. defense industrial base,” commented Austal USA President Michelle Kruger. “As we have done throughout our history, Austal USA is again expanding our facility to meet the needs of the Nation.”

This infrastructure expansion includes the construction of Final Assembly Building #2 (FA 2). The facility will feature three bays to build large steel modules including the Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and the Navy’s TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance steel ships.

MadeInAlabama.com

Mississippi County, Arkansas Leads the Way in Green Steel Innovation

Posted on July 17, 2024October 25, 2024 by Michael Randle

Industry experts say green steel is the future, and Mississippi County steel plants are leading the way.

Steel manufacturing produces more carbon dioxide than any other heavy industry, responsible for about 8% of total global emissions, according to the World Economic Forum. With eyes on manufacturers to reach net-zero targets and meet ambitious climate goals, green steel is the answer many companies are seeking.

Arkansas steel giants like Blytheville-based Nucor-Yamato, as well as Big River Steel and Hybar of Osceola, are transforming Mississippi County into a hub of recycled steel, renewable energy and innovative technology.

They’re moving production away from traditional pig iron, or iron with a high carbon content, fossil fuels, blast furnaces and other pollution-heavy processes in favor of lighter, greener steel production.

But what exactly is green steel? It can mean a lot of things, but the best definition is “steel with the lowest carbon emissions possible,” according to Dave Stickler, CEO of Hybar.

Arkansas Business