By DEWEY F. BARTLETT, JR.
Mayor of Tulsa

INNOVATION INSTITUTE: Mayor Bartlett discusses information about the supercomputer during a recent news conference. He was accompanied by Tulsa Community College President Dr. Tom McKeon, left, and Dr. Leigh Goodson, right, Oklahoma State University-Tulsa vice president.

I recently had the pleasure of signing a lease agreement with the Oklahoma Innovation Institute for space in City Hall that will house the largest community supercomputer in the nation.

The Tulsa Community Supercomputer will enhance Tulsa-area research and development in the sectors of advanced materials, aerospace, alternative energy, cyber-security, healthcare, life sciences, oil and gas, telecommunications, and others.

This supercomputer will truly be a catalyst for economic development available for use by academia, researchers, businesses and entrepreneurs, resulting in talent retention and attraction for the region.

Funding for the Tulsa Community Supercomputer came from a variety of resources, including a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for $800,000 and other funding sources such as: corporations, individuals and philanthropic partnerships including Grace and Franklin Bernsen Foundation and the Oxley Foundation. So far, the Oklahoma Innovation Institute has raised $4 million toward the $6.7 million goal that will help cover costs to sustain the supercomputer in the long term.

Components of the supercomputer should arrive in Tulsa in eight to 12 weeks and will be assembled off-site before delivery and installation at its permanent location in City Hall. The computer should be operational by mid-September 2012.

At final capacity, the Tulsa Community Supercomputer will be the largest supercomputer in the State of Oklahoma and the only supercomputer that is truly engaging government, academic, corporate and small business equally to create a common resource.

From a research standpoint, the Tulsa Community Supercomputer puts Tulsa at a competitive advantage to attract many high-impact jobs to the community. The City of Tulsa is very excited about this opportunity that will give Tulsa businesses and higher education institutions a chance to collaborate on projects for the betterment of Tulsa.

For more information about the Oklahoma Innovation Institute and the Tulsa Community Supercomputer, visit www.oklahomainnovationinstitute.com