“We see this organization as a viable economic development tool in growing the sensor industry in Oklahoma and in Ardmore.”
The Ardmore Development Authority and Amethyst Research, Inc. are instrumental partners in the formation of a statewide association to promote the growing sensor industry — the Oklahoma Sensor System Alliance.
Other partners in the development of this association include the Oklahoma State University Center for Innovation and Economic Development, the University Multispectral Lab, the Ponca City Development Authority and the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce.
The purpose of this core group is to foster an alliance that will result in a robust sensor industry to develop a viable industry base and commercialization pipeline in Oklahoma. The group plans to leverage the strengths of the industry in Oklahoma which include research, development, testing and evaluation to increase the base of sensor manufacturing in the state.
The group will solicit the membership of companies and organizations throughout the state who have a vested interest in the industry. This will include additional universities, economic development organizations, private companies and state and federal agencies. A meeting will be held in March with all interested parties at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City where an initial action plan for the organization will be approved. The organization plans a more formal feasibility study to understand the assets of the industry in Oklahoma and to understand the market needs of the global industry.
“We see this organization as a viable economic development tool in growing the sensor industry in Oklahoma and in Ardmore,” ADA Vice President Brien Thorstenberg said. “With the presence of Amethyst Research being located in the Ardmore area, there is tremendous potential to have other sensor-related companies locate in Ardmore in order to form an industry cluster with Amethyst. This gives our community the opportunity to add more knowledge-based jobs in our economy.”
