TULSA – Oklahoma State University officials and community leaders will break ground for Phase I of the OSU-Tulsa Advanced Technology Research Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. The ceremony will take place on the OSU-Tulsa west lawn near I-244 and Detroit Avenue.

President Gary Trennepohl said the ATRC is an extraordinary project that will benefit OSU researchers and students as well as the Tulsa community.

“This research facility will be the first of its kind in northeastern Oklahoma,” Trennepohl said. “Research activities at OSU-Tulsa will help support area businesses and industries through the transfer of newly developed technology. We are excited about the positive impact this landmark research facility will have for our students and the community.”

Specialized laboratories will enable faculty and students to focus on research important to industries in this region – aerospace, biotechnology, telecommunications and manufacturing. University and community leaders say the ATRC will provide potential for the commercialization of technology that will help the state’s economy by creating jobs and attracting industries to the area.

The ATRC project is being partially funded through the Vision 2025 bond issue passed by Tulsa voters last year. The Vision 2025 initiative provides $30 million for construction of Phase I of the center, which includes labs, clean rooms, seminar rooms and faculty offices. Trennepohl said construction is expected to begin in spring 2005 and should be completed by November 2006.

The second phase of the facility will contain additional classrooms, office space and computer labs. Trennepohl said the remaining $14 million to complete Phase II is expected to come from a proposed $500 million state bond for higher education that goes before the Legislature this spring.

When completed, the ATRC will house 25 faculty, 40 graduate students and five visiting professors. The center is expected to produce an annual payroll of about $4 million and attract an additional $5 to 6 million of federal and private research funds annually. Trennepohl said the greatest impact could come from commercialization of technology developed from the research. Economic impact of these start-up companies could exceed $400 million annually within 10 to15 years.

“The ATRC is part of OSU’s commitment to expand our leadership role in the educational and economic health of the Tulsa area,” Trennepohl said.

News Contacts:

Mary Bea Drummond
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Trish McBeath
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