This is a time of great discovery, when daily technological advances change how we work, educate, live and play. Channeling the best of these innovations while confronting the challenges requires sharpened skills and inspired strategy if we are to create a safe and profitable future.
Over the past several weeks, Fort Bend County area stakeholders along with their partners at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity pooled their strategies and leadership to apply to the U.S. Economic Development Administration/Department of Commerce for creation and designation as a Technology Hub. The Texas Advanced Cyber Tech & Innovation Collaborative (TACTIC) will create a national and global model of a coordinated Technology Hub advancing and protecting the capacities of our region.
In our region, strong industries such as transportation, energy, communication, healthcare, biotechnology, finance, education, public safety, and governance already thrive and contribute to the creation of smart communities. It is a critical priority, with national significance, that these communities be cyber-secure. We believe our area is primed for the creation of an entity to guard this critical infrastructure in the pursuit of secure and sustainable advanced technology expansion.
TACTIC combines the leadership and expertise of our: local governments (Fort Bend, Brazoria, Waller, Wharton, Walker and west Harris Counties); industry groups (Shell, NVIDIA, AT&T, CenterPoint, TanCHES Global Mgmt.); economic development organizations (Houston-Galveston Area Council, Fort Bend EDC, Katy EDC, Sugar Land EDC, Richmond EDC, Brazoria EDC, Wharton EDC, West Houston Association, The Woodlands Area ED Partnership); higher education institutions (UH at Sugar Land and UH at Katy, Prairie View A&M, Sam Houston State University, UHV-Katy, HCC Northwest and Southwest, Wharton County Junior College, Texas State Technical College); and workforce training organizations, including Workforce Solutions.
We envision a collaboration that develops new technology, provides AI and data analytics, as well as cybersecurity training and education to ensure a highly skilled workforce. Our success will attract high-tech entrepreneurs and global industry partners. TACTIC will be ready with incentives and opportunities to create and grow equitable, globally beneficial, profitable jobs that will remain in the US.
This is the right moment for this proposal and for this group to come together. The global advanced manufacturing market is projected to reach $228 billion by 2027. The global AI market is expected to reach $190.61 billion by 2025. The Greater Southwest Houston region ranks number one in the region and state for Innovation Index scores and 27th in the nation. By harnessing our technology resource pool, the region showcases its readiness to adapt to evolving industry demands and create sustainable, technologically advanced communities.
The TACTIC team is already connected, ready and well-positioned to lead our region forward expertly, strategically, and safely to a future of growth and global competitiveness.
Learn more about the Technology Hubs Program at https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs.