Governor Greg Abbott announced a $5 million grant to the Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) through the Texas Military Preparedness Commission.
The partnership between ATCOG, Texarkana College, and Texas A&M University-Texarkana was highlighted.
The grant will fund equipment and training to prepare the workforce for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) production at Red River Army Depot.
This $5 million grant was awarded through the Texas Military Preparedness Commission's (TMPC) Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program, as part of a larger initiative distributing over $26 million to Texas military communities to bolster infrastructure and protect jobs.
The funding is designed to significantly enhance the Red River Army Depot's (RRAD) capabilities to meet the U.S. military's directives concerning the production and assembly of sUAS, while also supporting the installation against potential future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) processes.
Through this two-year grant, ATCOG will facilitate the collaboration, assisting Texarkana College (TC) and Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT) in utilizing and expanding their existing aviation, mechatronics, and CNC training programs. The funds will provide additional training equipment and supplies to both institutions, enabling comprehensive training and micro-credentialing for the RRAD workforce and students in sUAS technologies.
Specifically, Texarkana College will develop and lead courses focused on drone production and advanced manufacturing skills, while Texas A&M University-Texarkana will concentrate on UAS battery development, design, and testing. Red River Army Depot will handle the defense program components of the initiative.
ATCOG Executive Director Mary Beth Rudel said, "This grant award will strengthen the local institutions and the depot's ability to develop a high-caliber workforce."
