Governor announces major grant

This afternoon Gov. Rick Perry announced a series of emerging technologies grants, part of which will total $9 million for the university, during a news conference at the ITT2 building.

The goal of the UTPA portion of the grants is to advance and expand the university’s Rapid Response Manufacturing Center (RRMC), which would then aid the Texas economy by diversification and job growth. The RRMC assists companies in developing research and talent in the area of rapid response manufacturing.

Perry said the state will provide $3.25 to the university from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF) Research Superiority Acquisition Award. The university and a private company will match the grants as well.

“In the business world competition is key,” Perry said. “These grants will do nothing but enhance the effectiveness of manufacturing… and will put the Valley and Texas on the radar of even more employers.”

UTPA President Robert Nelsen expressed the university’s appreciation for the award and reaffirmed the university’s commitment toward developing advanced technology.

“The award establishes UTPA as a major player and contributor to the economic future of Texas," he said.

Perry also thanked State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa and State Rep. Armando Martinez, who were present for the event, for working on the initiative.

Perry touted the Texas economy's resilience to the nation's now two-year-old recession. He said the grants will ensure that UTPA's teamwork and leadership in the emerging technologies field will make a global impact and leave a lasting effect on the state's economy.

Miguel Gonzalez, principal investigator to the grant and associate dean for the college of science and engineering, said the grant allocate resources needed to achieve a superior level of research in an area of great competitive importance.

“We hope that we can establish the foundation and infrastructure that will support the regional endeavors to establish a world-class hub for advanced manufacturing," Gonzalez said.

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