Tulsa Regional Advanced Mobility (TRAM) Corridor
Coalition Lead Applicant: Indian Nations Council of Governments
Region (applicant-defined): Northeast Oklahoma
Coalition Overarching Narrative (applicant submitted) (PDF)
Phase 2 Federal Award: Approximately $39 million
Project Description:
The Tulsa Regional Advanced Mobility (TRAM) Corridor, led by the Indian Nations Council of Governments, will receive approximately $39 million to transition the region from its legacy of oil and gas and traditional manufacturing to advanced mobility, automation, and unmanned aerial systems. Tulsa’s existing manufacturing base has been steadily eroding and workforce training programs have struggled to keep pace with technological change. EDA funding will invest in key assets, enabling the region to compete in a rapidly growing industry where no clear winner has yet emerged. Oklahoma State University (OSU) will partner with the Osage Nation to stand up a 114-nautical mile “beyond visual line-of-sight” flight test range for advanced aerial mobility technologies. OSU will also establish the LaunchPad Research and Technology Center in Tulsa’s Greenwood neighborhood, the historic site of Black Wall Street, to increase research capacity for established firms and potential entrepreneurs. Partnerships with community and entrepreneurship support organizations that have deep ties to Greenwood’s Black residents such as Black Tech Street, will ensure equitable access to the Center’s programs.