JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is set to receive a $500,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) for two major initiatives.

The funding comes from the Transportation Network Growth Opportunity (TNGO), a program designed to diversify Tennessee’s economy. By using a combination of public and private resources, TNGO aims to draw mobility research and development investment to the state, as stated in a TNECD news release.

Governor Bill Lee highlighted the importance of such initiatives in the release, stating, “As industries evolve, it’s vital for companies to recognize the outstanding research taking place here in Tennessee. TNGO funding ensures ongoing cooperation between the government and private sectors, promoting new growth and innovations in our key industries, thereby creating more opportunities for Tennesseans.”

The following projects will receive funds:

• ETSU and Bell Textron Inc., Project I: Design of 3D Printed Tooling for Bird Impact-Resistant Aircraft Windshields – $311,054
  • Address the design, fabrication and proof-of-concept testing of advanced polymer form tooling produced through precision 3D printing to support polycarbonate windshields for rotorcraft applications, according to the release.
• ETSU and Bell Textron Inc., Project II: Rotor Collision Avoidance Alert System (RCAAS) – $188,945
  • ETSU and Bell Textron will develop a high-fidelity simulation environment to demonstrate technical feasibility, performance capabilities and safety benefits of the Rotor Collision Avoidance Alert System.

ETSU President Brian Noland expressed gratitude for the TNGO awards, acknowledging their critical role in fostering industry partnerships and advancing safety and mobility technologies. “ETSU appreciates Governor Bill Lee and the TNECD for their investment in innovation and research that enhances economic opportunities across our state,” Noland said. “The collaboration with Bell Textron showcases ETSU’s dedication to addressing real-world challenges and positioning Tennessee as a leader in transformative development.”