The Midland Development Corporation (MDC) and The Midland City Council approved an agreement wherein the MDC will fund The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) for the research and development of a concentration in aeronautical engineering.
The funds provided by the MDC will be contributing to the development of a new aeronautical engineering program at UTPB for an aerospace faculty member and the development of laboratories. The funds are also targeted to develop and maintain specific Bachelor-Degree academic programs that facilitate new and existing industrial and aerospace development. Any residual amounts will be used to fund research for the aerospace engineering professor. Anticipated laboratory expenditures will be for subsonic wind tunnel, propulsion module, aerospace structures module, and ancillary instrumentation.
“UTPB is pleased to continue our collaboration with the MDC and excited about the prospects for aerospace engineering,” said Dr. David Watts, UTPB President.
“The MDC has a long standing mutually beneficial partnership with UTPB. We appreciate UTPB’s willingness to help us achieve our goals and this agreement is an affirmation of our commitment to furthering the economic diversification of Midland. This program complements our pursuit to bring a full accompaniment of aerospace companies to Midland,” said MDC Board Chairman Brent Hilliard.
The development of this aerospace engineering program meets several of the MDC’s mission goals; to attract diversified industries and business to Midland and to strengthen Midland’s workforce for current and future employers.
The Midland Development Corporation (MDC) incentivizes qualified employers who create and retain a diversified job market in the greater Midland, Texas, region. MDC promotes business expansion and job creation through an established business climate and a strong community. MDC is an effective steward of sales tax revenue to efficiently grow Midland’s economic stability and the quality of life.
