$70M Approved for UTEP Manufacturing and Aerospace Facility

The University of Texas at El Paso will receive $70 million in funding that will be used to develop a new, on-campus facility to house the institution’s growing research and teaching program in additive manufacturing.

The UT Board of Regents approved funding for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace, which will have as its goal training more than 600 graduate and undergraduate students. The money will also help improve UTEP’s test facilities for rocket engines and drones, which are currently located in East El Paso County.

“UTEP’s current advanced manufacturing and aerospace education and research infrastructure is at capacity,” said Ryan Wicker, founder of UTEP’s Keck Center for 3D Innovation. “This decision by the Board of Regents is a strong testament to the caliber of our research, our technical strength, and the ability to meet the workforce needs of the 21st century.”

A construction timeline has not been determined.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Amy Sorter