New study says Tulsa, NWA forge collaborative blueprint for economic development

A Heartland Forward study released Wednesday (June 21) said economic developers would be wise to note the collaborations between Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas.

By examining the collaborative endeavors between the two metro regions, researchers say the 412 Corridor, named for the highway that connects the two metro regions, boasts a substantial population and thriving industries. Combined, the two regions have the potential to form an area of considerable scale that can effectively utilize industry clusters and infrastructure to drive economic development.

The report finds that the “superregional innovative cluster” approach along the 412 Corridor could be a blueprint for future economic development partnerships among heartland states.

“In particular, momentum is building for Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas’ existing and emerging industries such as transportation and logistics,” Heartland Forward CEO Ross DeVol said in the release. “When combined with natural amenities, sound quality of life and philanthropic support, this cross-border collaborative approach will lead the development of next-generation logistics, distribution and transportation right here in the 412 Corridor.”

DeVol and Dave Shideler, the chief research officer for Heartland Forward’s research team, authored the report. For a PDF of the 12-page study, click here.

On Aug. 17, 2022, then-Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt solidified the regional partnership between Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas through the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The objective was to establish a hub for transportation and logistics known as the “Silicon Valley of transportation and logistics,” capitalizing on the expertise of prominent employers such as American Airlines, Walmart, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services.

Earlier this year, Tulsa Innovation Labs and Northwest Arkansas Council submitted a joint application to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines (RIE) program. Future Logistics and Advanced Mobility Engine (FLAME) is the Tulsa/NWA proposal’s name, cementing partnerships across state boundaries and regulatory agencies to combine and enhance the workforce, research and commercialization infrastructures.

According to NSF, an Engine is a multi-sector coalition of regional partners working together to catalyze a regional innovation ecosystem on a topic of regional relevance and national and societal significance. NSF will fund Engines with up to $160 million for up to 10 years.

Although not chosen as a semifinalist for the more significant Type 2 NSF awards, the FLAME application could be selected for the smaller Type 1 planning grant award to refine the proposal.

Or, additional enhancements could position FLAME to secure other placed-based awards recently passed by Congress, such as those to be distributed through the CHIPS and Science Act under its Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) administered by the Economic Development Administration (EDA)

412 CASE STUDY
Researchers at Heartland Forward, a “think-and-do” tank in Bentonville, drilled into the 412 Corridor case study, revealing the distinctive economic structures of Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas. Despite their differences, certain technological advancements, such as using drones for surveying and reconnaissance in Tulsa’s oil and gas industry, align with the consumer packaging sector in Northwest Arkansas. Tulsa’s emphasis on aviation and heavy transportation manufacturing complements the logistics capabilities prevalent in Northwest Arkansas, forming a vertically integrated cluster centered around advanced mobility in the 412 Corridor.

The report also says incorporating drones and substantial corporate investments amounting to nearly $1 billion in fleet electrification and autonomous trucking holds significant potential for fostering collaboration between Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas.

However, researchers say collaboration is not solely driven by economic motivations. Both regions reap the rewards of philanthropic institutions deeply committed to their respective communities. These institutions contribute funding and leadership to enhance the overall quality of life and ensure that all residents partake in regional success.