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UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Awarded $500k Development Grant to Drive East Texas Economic Growth

October 1, 2018

Media Contact: Beverley Golden
Senior Director of Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.566.7303

The University of Texas at Tyler announced today that it has received a five-year grant totaling $564,250 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support entrepreneurship and revitalize economic development in East Texas.

EDA provided a total of $2.5 million in grants to 20 colleges and universities in 13 states to run programs to promote American innovation and strengthen regional economies.

"This grant will play a key role in furthering UT Tyler's efforts to serve as the economic driver of East Texas," said Dr. Michael Tidwell, UT Tyler president. "We look forward to establishing partnerships with East Texas innovators and entrepreneurs from all fields, particularly the medical and energy industries."

The UT Tyler Soules College of Business and the College of Engineering will collaborate on this project to provide business and manufacturing expertise to East Texas.

"We will connect businesses throughout East Texas with resources and entrepreneurs to help them launch initiatives that impact the regional economy," said Dr. Roger Lirely, UT Tyler Soules College of Business interim dean.

"We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious EDA University Grant. We are indebted to many local business leaders, including John Soules Sr. and Brad Brookshire, for strengthening our application with letters of support. New East Texas businesses and entrepreneurs will benefit greatly from the programming funded by this grant," said Dr. Laura Jackson, assistant vice president for government and community affairs.

A member of the prestigious UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler focuses on student success and innovative research in the more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered. With more than 10,000 students, UT Tyler has facilities in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.