El Paso and UTEP Forge Partnership to Advance Aerospace Manufacturing with Federal Funding
The El Paso City Council has approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a collaborative agreement with The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The partnership aims to strengthen the region’s aerospace and defense manufacturing capabilities through a federally funded initiative.
This joint effort is part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC). The agreement formally designates the city and UTEP as co-applicants for the project, enabling them to coordinate program implementation and manage $10 million in federal funds. The primary goals are to bolster advanced manufacturing, integrate local companies into national supply chains, and generate measurable economic outcomes for the region.
This latest measure builds upon a significant $40 million federal award granted in 2023 to the West Texas Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Coalition, which is led by the city and the university. From that award, $25 million was allocated to establish the Advanced Manufacturing District at the El Paso International Airport. This district is designed to provide space for aerospace and defense companies, their suppliers, and support services. UTEP received the remaining $15 million to develop technical assistance and training programs aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of local suppliers within the industry.
The collaboration is strategically focused on fostering innovation and workforce development through targeted training, research initiatives, and the integration of small and medium-sized enterprises into regional and national supply chains. The joint administration of the BBBRC program will include rigorous oversight to track economic impact and ensure the proper utilization of federal resources.
Through this project, El Paso and UTEP aim to establish West Texas as a prominent hub for advanced manufacturing, generating sustained economic growth and strengthening the critical infrastructure for the aerospace and defense industry.
