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Reese Technology Center

The Texas Tech University Reese National Security Complex, formerly known as the Reese Technology Center, is a research and business park developed on the grounds of the decommissioned Reese Air Force Base in western Lubbock, Texas.^[1]^[2] It serves as a hub for technology, education, engineering, light manufacturing, and national security initiatives, featuring specialized facilities such as an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) test site, applied defense research laboratories, and cyber-physical critical infrastructure experimentation platforms.^[1]^[3] Originally established in 1941 as a U.S. Army flying school and later renamed Reese Air Force Base in 1949 to honor Lieutenant Augustus F. Reese Jr., the installation primarily functioned as a pilot training facility until its closure in 1997 under the Base Realignment and Closure process.^[4]^[2] Following closure, the Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority oversaw the site's transformation over two decades into a mixed-use business and research park, leveraging assets like a private airfield and data center to attract industry and academic partners.^[5]^[6] In September 2025, Texas Tech University assumed greater control through legislative measures including House Bill 5092, prompting the renaming to emphasize its evolving role in national resilience, defense readiness, and critical infrastructure research areas such as energy, transportation, telecommunications, and water systems.^[1]^[7] The complex fosters collaborations with federal agencies and private sector entities, positioning Texas Tech as a key player in addressing security challenges through innovation and applied research.^[1]

Overview

Location and Site Characteristics

The Reese Technology Center occupies nearly 2,500 acres in western Lubbock County, Texas, on the site of the former Reese Air Force Base, approximately 10 miles west of central Lubbock.^[8] This expansive area, situated at an elevation of 3,338 feet above mean sea level, lies within the flat topography of the Llano Estacado region, characterized by level plains that support aviation infrastructure and unobstructed testing environments.^[9] The site's logistical advantages include its central position relative to West Texas transportation networks, enhancing accessibility for regional operations.^[3] Key physical assets include a private airfield designated as Reese Airpark (FAA LID: 8XS8), featuring two 10,500-foot runways and one 6,500-foot runway, all constructed with asphalt and concrete surfaces in good condition and capable of handling diverse aircraft.^[10] ^[11] The availability of over 2,000 acres of developable land, bolstered by inherited military-grade secure perimeters with fencing and gated access, provides ample space for facility expansion while maintaining controlled boundaries.^[8] These features, combined with proximity to Texas Tech University—roughly 10 to 15 miles eastward—position the center for integrated academic-industrial synergies without urban encroachment.^[12]

Administrative Governance and Recent Rename

The Reese Technology Center is administered by the Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority (LRRA), a local government entity established to oversee the site's redevelopment following the 1997 closure of Reese Air Force Base, in ongoing partnership with Texas Tech University for research and facility utilization.^[13]^[8] This structure facilitates leasing of space to both university-led initiatives and non-university tenants, prioritizing economic development through diversified occupancy rather than restrictive academic or environmental mandates.^[8]^[14] On September 15, 2025, the facility was renamed the Texas Tech University Reese National Security Complex (RNSC) to better align with an intensified emphasis on defense-related research and development, critical infrastructure resilience, and national security applications, as authorized by Texas House Bill 5092 passed earlier that year.^[1]^[15]^[8] The redesignation underscores a pragmatic pivot toward addressing heightened geopolitical risks and federal demands for secure technology testing, including electromagnetic pulse simulation and cyber-physical infrastructure experiments, while maintaining LRRA's role in property management and public-private collaborations for sustained viability.^[16]^[17] This evolution prioritizes operational adaptability and revenue generation over ideologically driven alternatives, reflecting broader trends in repurposing former military assets for targeted strategic needs.^[14]^[18]

Military History

Establishment and World War II Operations

The Lubbock Army Airfield was announced by the War Department on June 26, 1941, with selection of a 2,000-acre site approximately 10 miles west of Lubbock, Texas, for construction of an advanced flying school as part of the U.S. military's pre-World War II mobilization to expand air training capacity.^[2] ^[19] Groundbreaking occurred on August 22, 1941, followed by rapid buildout of essential facilities, and the base activated as the Lubbock Army Air Corps Advanced Flying School on January 22, 1942.^[20] This timing aligned with acute demands for pilot production after the December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor attack, which necessitated scaling U.S. Army Air Forces training from peacetime levels to wartime surges, with the site's flat High Plains terrain and isolation from urban interference proving ideal for safe, high-volume flight operations.^[2] ^[21] Throughout World War II, the airfield functioned as a key advanced pilot training hub, graduating 7,008 aviators qualified for combat roles in bombers, fighters, and transports.^[19] Instruction emphasized single-engine proficiency using the North American AT-6 Texan, supplemented by multi-engine trainers such as the AT-7 Navigator, AT-9 Jeep, AT-10 Wichita, and AT-17 Bobcat, enabling cadets to master instrument flight, formation tactics, and gunnery under simulated combat conditions.^[22] ^[19] These programs directly bolstered Allied air forces by delivering empirically vetted pilots, with training efficacy evidenced by low attrition rates and seamless transitions to operational units, amid a national effort that produced over 193,000 Army Air Forces pilots overall.^[22] Initial infrastructure comprised three concrete runways—laid out in a triangular pattern for crosswind capability—alongside steel-frame hangars for aircraft maintenance and wooden barracks for up to 5,000 personnel, all erected under wartime expediency to support daily sorties exceeding 100 flights.^[20] ^[23] Repair hangars, like those servicing Texan airframes, incorporated reinforced designs for heavy lift equipment, ensuring operational readiness despite supply chain strains.^[23] These foundational assets, driven by the causal imperative of rapid force projection, yielded durable pavements and structures that withstood decades of use, illustrating the long-term utility of conflict-spurred engineering.^[24]

Post-War Expansion and Pilot Training

Following World War II, Reese Air Force Base transitioned from multi-engine pilot training to a focus on jet-era undergraduate pilot training under Air Training Command, expanding operations to meet Cold War demands for airpower readiness. By the early 1950s, the base graduated its first post-war classes, incorporating advanced single-engine jet trainers as the U.S. Air Force prioritized supersonic capabilities for deterrence.^[21]^[25] The training program evolved into a comprehensive Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) curriculum, utilizing the Cessna T-37 Tweet for primary phase instruction starting in the late 1950s and the Northrop T-38 Talon for advanced phase from 1964 onward, with Class 64-C marking the first T-38 graduates at Reese.^[25]^[26] Students accumulated approximately 130 flight hours in the T-37 for contact and instrument training before progressing to high-altitude, supersonic maneuvers in the T-38, emphasizing combat-relevant skills like formation flying and gunnery simulations.^[27] This shift supported joint programs, including Navy pilot training integration by the 1970s, enhancing interoperability without diluting Air Force-specific proficiency.^[25] Operations peaked during the 1960s through 1980s, producing pilots who contributed to Vietnam War efforts and sustained strategic deterrence, with annual graduations reaching nearly 400 by 1986 amid heightened production needs.^[2] Over its active period, Reese trained more than 25,000 pilots for post-WWII conflicts, with success gauged by high completion rates—typically exceeding 80% for qualified entrants—and direct transitions to operational squadrons, reflecting rigorous selection and empirical performance metrics over ideological quotas.^[28]^[2] In response to post-Vietnam pilot shortages, the base incorporated women into UPT from 1976, aligning with Air Force policy changes driven by manpower requirements rather than mandated diversity; by the mid-1980s, mixed-gender classes maintained meritocratic standards, with female trainees meeting identical physical and aptitude thresholds as males.^[2]^[29] This adaptation preserved training efficacy, as evidenced by consistent graduation outputs and no reported dilution in combat readiness metrics.^[2]

Closure Under BRAC

Reese Air Force Base was selected for closure during the 1995 round of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, as recommended by the Department of Defense to achieve budgetary efficiencies through the consolidation of undergraduate pilot training (UPT) capacity at fewer, larger installations.^[4] This decision reflected post-Cold War reductions in Air Force end-strength—from approximately 535,000 personnel in 1990 to about 400,000 by 1995—and corresponding decreases in pilot training demands, which rendered multiple specialized UPT bases underutilized and costly to maintain separately.^[30] Rather than abstract notions of a "peace dividend," the closure stemmed from concrete fiscal pressures, including annual operations and maintenance costs exceeding $50 million at Reese, which could be offset by reallocating assets like T-37 and T-38 aircraft squadrons to bases such as Laughlin Air Force Base for centralized efficiency.^[31] The 1995 BRAC Commission's recommendations were approved by Congress and the President in July 1995, leading to the cessation of all flying operations by April 1996 and full base closure on September 30, 1997.^[32] By the mid-1990s, empirical assessments showed Reese operating at reduced capacity, with UPT throughput declining amid a shift toward joint training models and advanced simulators that diminished the need for dispersed sites; for instance, Air Education and Training Command data indicated excess infrastructure across UPT bases, justifying consolidation to cut redundancies in support functions like engine maintenance and logistics.^[33] This realignment validated the closure's rationale by projecting net savings of over $200 million in recurring costs over five years, primarily from eliminating duplicate administrative and airfield operations.^[30] Upon closure, approximately 2,987 acres were transferred to the Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority, with the site's primary training mission resulting in minimal environmental remediation requirements compared to operational combat bases, as it involved limited hazardous materials handling focused on aviation fuels and routine maintenance.^[34] The preserved high-value assets, including a 13,000-foot runway, hangars, and over 100 buildings, positioned the property for efficient civilian reuse without substantial demolition or cleanup burdens.^[32]

Redevelopment Process

Base Realignment and Initial Planning

Following the closure of Reese Air Force Base on September 30, 1997, as mandated by the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, the U.S. Air Force transferred approximately 3,000 acres of the site to the Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority (LRRA).^[4]^[28] The LRRA prioritized retaining core infrastructure, including the airfield and hangars, for potential dual-use applications in civilian aviation and economic development, aiming to preserve assets that could support rapid repurposing amid federal divestment.^[4] This approach reflected local determination to leverage existing facilities rather than allowing decay, countering potential narratives of abandonment through structured transition under BRAC protocols.^[35] The base closure eliminated about 1,200 jobs tied to military operations, posing immediate economic strain on the Lubbock region.^[36] Community leaders initiated planning via the predecessor Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Committee, focusing on swift tenant recruitment strategies to offset losses and foster self-reliant recovery over prolonged dependency on federal aid.^[28] These efforts emphasized pragmatic asset utilization, with early master planning documents outlining phased infrastructure stabilization to enable occupancy within years of transfer.^[35] Federal support complemented local initiatives through Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants, beginning in 2001 for essential upgrades like utility enhancements and site remediation, which accelerated redevelopment timelines.^[35] By facilitating quick infrastructure readiness, these investments—culminating in four EDA awards by 2024—underpinned the shift to technology-focused uses without delaying economic stabilization.^[13] This blend of grassroots planning and targeted grants exemplified resilience, transforming a mandated closure into a foundation for sustained local enterprise.^[37]

Role of Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority

The Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority (LRRA) was established by the Texas Legislature following the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) announcement that led to Reese Air Force Base's closure on September 30, 1997, with the initial Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Committee forming in 1995 to coordinate property transfer and planning.^[6] As a tax-exempt political subdivision under Chapter 3501 of the Texas Special District Local Laws Code, governed by a seven-member board appointed from Lubbock city, county, and regional entities, the LRRA received conveyance of approximately 2,000 acres of former base land, including airfield and support infrastructure, to facilitate economic reuse without ongoing federal subsidies.^[5]^[38] This quasi-public structure enables self-sustaining operations through revenue from asset leasing, prioritizing fiscal independence over dependency on grants or ideological mandates.^[17] The LRRA's operational model emphasizes market-responsive redevelopment, targeting light industrial, research, engineering, and manufacturing tenants via competitive leasing of repurposed military facilities, such as upgraded hangars and buildings converted into labs and offices, while maintaining private access to the airfield's 27,500 linear feet of runways to draw aviation and logistics firms.^[5]^[10] Incentives focus on practical advantages like proximity to State Highway 114, existing fiber optics, and co-location opportunities, rather than broad subsidies, fostering private investment in sectors aligned with regional strengths in technology and defense.^[5] This approach contrasts with subsidy-heavy models elsewhere, crediting empirical success to the causal leverage of retained infrastructure—such as dual-loop fiber and roads—enabling tenants like KBR Aerospace and Bayer Crop Science to adapt facilities cost-effectively without distorting market signals.^[6]^[37] Governance balances revenue generation, derived primarily from leases supporting operations and debt service, with community-oriented goals like job replacement from the base closure, achieved through public-private partnerships that avoid overcommitment to transient policy-driven sectors such as renewables in favor of enduring national security applications.^[17]^[6] The LRRA's track record demonstrates causal efficacy in adaptive reuse: by 2017, over 20 tenants occupied the site, transforming a shuttered installation into a viable business park sustained by contractual pragmatism rather than ideological or subsidized pursuits.^[37]^[5]

Infrastructure and Facilities

Airfield and Aviation Assets

The airfield at Reese Technology Center, formerly Reese Air Force Base, includes a primary runway designated 17R/35L measuring 10,500 feet long by 150 feet wide, surfaced with asphalt and concrete in good condition, alongside a secondary runway 17L/35R of 6,500 feet by 150 feet also in asphalt and concrete but fair condition.^[11] The primary runway is restricted to emergency use only, while the facility supports general aviation operations requiring prior permission due to its private status and lack of control tower or fuel services.^[11] Accompanying taxiways facilitate ground movements, maintaining the site's capability for aircraft handling inherited from its military origins.^[11] Hangars originally built for military aircraft maintenance have been adapted for storage, maintenance, and related aeronautical activities, bolstering the appeal of the center to tenants in engineering and aviation sectors.^[39] Ongoing baseline maintenance of runways and infrastructure, as documented in redevelopment authority reports, has preserved operational integrity and ensured adherence to Federal Aviation Administration standards post-closure in 1997.^[38] This upkeep has enabled the airfield's transition to civilian applications, including support for drone operations and unmanned systems testing, without necessitating major capital reinvestments.^[40]^[41]

Research and Data Centers

The Reese Technology Center features a dedicated data center providing colocation services with secure raised-floor infrastructure, redundant power systems including a 1200 kW emergency generator and UPS protection, and dual power grids for reliability.^[42] Cooling is managed through redundant HVAC units with humidity and temperature monitoring, alongside fire suppression systems, enabling high-compute operations such as simulations and AI processing in a controlled environment.^[42] These capabilities leverage the site's former military base assets, including an isolated power source suitable for intensive computational and testing demands.^[8] Specialized laboratory spaces support testing and experimentation, with available facilities including a 6,953 square foot office/lab in Building 341 and a 685 square foot dedicated lab in Building 670.^[43] Inherited from early redevelopment efforts, these include wind engineering setups like the VorTECH simulator for tornadic wind replication up to EF3 scale and field laboratories with instrumented meteorological towers for atmospheric data collection.^[44]^[45] Security features such as 24/7 video surveillance, access controls, and locked enclosures ensure protected environments for sensitive R&D activities.^[42] The center's infrastructure allows for scalable expansion through adaptable original military buildings and over 292,000 square feet of build-to-suit space, facilitating modular additions for hybrid public-private research without extensive regulatory hurdles.^[43]^[46] Perimeter fencing and gated access further support secure, phased growth for computing and lab needs.^[8]

Business and Meeting Spaces

The Reese Technology Center features abundant conference and meeting facilities tailored for industry events, collaborations, and tenant use, including dedicated spaces with built-in audio-visual equipment, WiFi connectivity, breakout areas for refreshments or catering, and capacities accommodating up to 60 people.^[47] These amenities, often provided free to tenants, support practical business operations such as training sessions and client presentations, with examples including large conference rooms and training rooms equipped with A/V capabilities at locations like 9801 Reese Boulevard.^[48] Office spaces are available across multiple buildings, offering flexible leasing options for startups and established firms, such as the 6,644 square feet in Building #20 fully available for immediate occupancy.^[49] Light industrial zones complement these by providing areas for prototype manufacturing and assembly, exemplified by the 24,080 square feet in Building #3175, which integrate with the site's private airfield for streamlined logistics and material transport.^[49] Secure infrastructure, including 24/7 video surveillance and gated access, enhances appeal for defense-related businesses preferring controlled environments over unsecured campuses, enabling compliance with stringent security protocols for contractors.^[50] Ongoing expansions, such as the East 90 Business Park initiated in May 2025, further bolster mid-sized manufacturing capacities within these zones, emphasizing utility for revenue-generating activities.^[51]

Research Focus Areas

Wind Technology and Renewable Energy Research

The Reese Technology Center has hosted significant wind energy research since the early 2000s, leveraging the site's 1,900 acres of open terrain in the windy Texas South Plains for field testing. Texas Tech University's National Wind Institute (NWI), based at the center, operates facilities including the DOE/Sandia Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) Facility, established in 2013 to study array-scale wind turbine interactions.^[52] This three-turbine setup, with 225-kilowatt Vestas V27 machines spaced to simulate full-scale farms, enables rapid prototyping of technologies addressing turbine wake effects, which can reduce downstream power output by 20-40% without mitigation.^[53] The facility's anemometer towers and meteorological data support validation of computational models for optimizing turbine layouts and controls.^[54] Research achievements include advancements in wake steering—actively yawing turbines to deflect wakes—and load alleviation strategies, improving annual energy production estimates by up to 5% in modeled farms while reducing structural fatigue.^[55] These efforts contribute to grid integration by refining predictive models for variable output, aiding operators in forecasting and balancing intermittent generation. The site's consistent winds, averaging 6-8 meters per second at hub height, facilitate year-round testing, with data informing DOE-funded projects on rotor innovations and farm-level efficiency.^[56] However, empirical data from DOE analyses highlight inherent limitations: wind's low capacity factors (typically 35-40% in the U.S.) and intermittency necessitate overbuilding capacity by factors of 2-3 and reliance on dispatchable backups like natural gas, increasing system costs by 20-50% for high penetrations without adequate storage. Scalability challenges persist, as integrating large wind arrays strains transmission infrastructure and exposes vulnerabilities during low-wind periods, per DOE grid reliability studies.^[57] Wind projects' dependence on federal subsidies, such as the production tax credit providing 2.6 cents per kilowatt-hour, has driven deployment but distorts markets by favoring intermittent sources over reliable alternatives, as noted in incentive impact assessments.^[58] By the mid-2010s, national priorities at Reese began shifting toward defense and critical infrastructure, reflecting market-driven recognition that wind supplements rather than supplants baseload power amid policy reevaluations of subsidy efficacy.^[5]

Shift to National Security and Critical Infrastructure

In May 2025, Texas House Bill 5092 mandated an expansion of the Reese Technology Center's mission to incorporate national security and critical infrastructure priorities, directing strengthened partnerships with Texas Tech University for defense-related research and development.^[59] This legislative action responded to identified gaps in domestic technological resilience, particularly vulnerabilities in energy grids and supply chains exposed by events such as cyberattacks and electromagnetic threats, prioritizing U.S. self-reliance over external dependencies.^[60]^[61] The pivot materialized on September 15, 2025, with the facility's renaming to the Texas Tech University Reese National Security Complex (RNSC), signaling a reorientation from prior emphases toward applied defense projects, including an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) test site for hardening infrastructure against directed-energy attacks and facilities for cyber-physical experiments simulating threats to critical systems like power grids.^[1]^[16] These initiatives address empirical risks, such as grid failures from cyber intrusions or mechanical disruptions, by developing recovery protocols and resilient designs tested under controlled conditions.^[61] Texas Tech's Critical Infrastructure Security Institute (CISI), integrated into RNSC operations, leads efforts in cybersecurity for sectors like energy, focusing on rapid restoration post-failure without reliance on unverified foreign components.^[62] RNSC fosters collaborations with federal entities, including anticipated Department of Defense engagements for weapons systems hardening and the FBI for broader security protocols, enabling merit-driven innovation through shared facilities and data.^[14]^[63] This framework supports unmanned and autonomous systems research indirectly via airfield assets repurposed for defense testing, countering strategic threats like adversarial supply chain dominance in electronics and AI components.^[8] By 2025, these programs had secured expanded federal funding tied to verifiable outcomes in infrastructure protection, underscoring a causal shift driven by escalating geopolitical pressures rather than unsubstantiated global cooperation narratives.^[12]

Other Engineering and Manufacturing Initiatives

The Reese Technology Center facilitates aerospace engineering by leveraging its airfield infrastructure for prototyping and testing activities. The site features three operational runways—one measuring 6,500 feet and two at 4,000 feet—supporting aviation platform sustainment research and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development.^[64] This setup enables practical applications, such as aerodynamic experiments on small fixed-wing UAVs conducted in the on-site subsonic wind tunnel facility.^[65] Prototyping efforts incorporate additive manufacturing techniques, including fused deposition modeling for constructing test models used in these aerodynamic studies.^[66] Collaborations with Texas Tech University's Institute for Materials, Manufacturing, and Sustainment provide access to advanced prototyping and manufacturing capabilities, aiding in the development of engineering components.^[67] Manufacturing initiatives emphasize support for local industries through dedicated industrial spaces and extensive laydown areas totaling thousands of square feet.^[5] Companies like Rhodes USA conduct in-house fabrication of structural components at the site, capitalizing on available space for production processes.^[10] The East 90 Business Park, a 90-acre expansion project launched in May 2025, targets mid-sized manufacturing firms to bolster regional production capacity.^[51]

Economic and Community Impact

Job Generation and Business Tenants

The Reese Technology Center, redeveloped from the former Reese Air Force Base following its closure in 1997, has generated approximately 750 jobs across more than 20 businesses in public and private sectors, transforming a site with zero civilian employment into a hub for technology and industry.^[68]^[56] This growth stems from the Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority's (LRRA) targeted incentives, such as adaptable infrastructure and lease structures that prioritize private investment over direct subsidies, attracting tenants without relying on extensive federal grants beyond initial adaptive reuse support.^[35]^[13] Key tenants include engineering and manufacturing firms like Rhodes USA, which utilizes on-site fabrication capabilities; data service providers such as Reese Data Center for colocation; aviation and aerospace companies leveraging airfield assets; and educational affiliates like Texas Tech University and South Plains College, which together support research and workforce training.^[10]^[56] These occupants reflect a focus on high-skill sectors, with low vacancy rates evidenced by ongoing expansions, including the 2025 East 90 Business Park project to accommodate mid-sized manufacturing amid demand exceeding available space.^[51] The trajectory from base closure to full occupancy underscores a successful military-to-civilian transition, where LRRA's market-oriented strategies—emphasizing property adaptation and private-sector partnerships—have sustained occupancy growth without protracted government dependency, positioning the center as a model for enterprise-led redevelopment.^[69]^[35]

Contributions to Local Economy

The Reese Technology Center has generated an annual economic output of approximately $1.2 billion as of 2017, encompassing direct operations and indirect effects through supply chains and regional business activity.^[37] This impact stems from the repurposing of the former Reese Air Force Base, which mitigated the economic shock of its 1997 closure by attracting technology and research tenants that stimulate local procurement and vendor networks.^[35] Spillover benefits include enhanced regional competitiveness in sectors like renewable energy and engineering, with causal linkages evident in sustained private investment following infrastructure upgrades.^[13] Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants—four awards totaling over $4.5 million by 2024—have amplified returns on investment by funding critical infrastructure, such as airfield enhancements and business parks, which leveraged more than $12 million in local matching funds and supported hundreds of jobs through expanded capacity.^[13] These interventions yielded a self-sustaining model, as evidenced by private capital inflows exceeding $20 million from a single 2021 grant for tech manufacturing facilities.^[70] Annual tax revenues attributable to the center reached $30 million by 2017, bolstering municipal budgets without imposing new levies on the Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority, which operates as a non-taxing entity.^[37] ^[3] Partnerships with Texas Tech University have contributed to workforce development by aligning research initiatives with local education programs, cultivating engineering and technology skills that reduce reliance on external labor pools and promote economic self-sufficiency.^[37] No significant opportunity costs, such as displaced alternative land uses, have been documented, given the site's prior military designation and the absence of competing high-value developments in the surrounding rural-urban fringe.^[35] This framework underscores net positive macroeconomic effects, prioritizing empirical multipliers from job-supported consumption and infrastructure-enabled growth over unsubstantiated drawbacks.

Success Metrics and Challenges

The Reese Technology Center exemplifies effective Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) redevelopment, with multiple U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants catalyzing private sector engagement and employment stability post-1997 base inactivation. These investments have leveraged $5 million in private capital, retaining hundreds of jobs while creating hundreds more through infrastructure upgrades and tenant attraction in research and manufacturing sectors.^[13] A 2021 EDA grant of $865,000, matched by local funds, targeted tech-based manufacturing expansions projected to yield $20 million in further private investment and job growth.^[70] Similarly, a $2 million EDA award in February 2024 funded the East 90 Business Park, emphasizing mid-sized manufacturing and regional resiliency to sustain long-term occupancy and economic multipliers.^[71]^[72] Initial challenges post-BRAC included high vacancy rates and local economic disruption from the loss of military payrolls, compounded by competition from metropolitan tech hubs offering denser talent pools and infrastructure.^[73] These hurdles were mitigated not through extensive subsidies but by capitalizing on the site's extant airfield, hangars, and proximity to Texas Tech University, enabling phased tenant onboarding in aviation, renewables, and defense-related fields over two decades.^[5] The center's adaptation contrasts with boom-bust cycles in unsubsidized green energy ventures elsewhere, maintaining operational continuity via diversified federal grant inflows rather than singular industry bets. A potential limitation arises from deepening reliance on Texas Tech University, formalized by a May 2025 state house bill transferring oversight to the institution and culminating in the September 2025 renaming to Texas Tech University Reese National Security Complex.^[59]^[1] This pivot bolsters research synergies in national security and critical infrastructure but may constrain broader tenant diversity, as university-aligned priorities could overshadow independent commercial ventures; nonetheless, empirical outcomes demonstrate resilience, with over 170 facilities occupied and expansions underway, averting the stagnation seen in less adaptive BRAC sites.^[74]^[51]

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[31]
[PDF] 1995 BRAC Commission Report 7-1-95 - GovInfo
Jul 1, 1995 · The 1995 report contains findings and recommendations for closure and realignment of military installations, aiming to maintain readiness and ...
[32]
Former Reese Air Force Base (BRAC 1995) - SAF/IE
Total Acreage: 2,987 Acres Closed: September 1997. Google Map Local Redevelopment Authority Lubbock-Reese Redevelopment Authority 9801 Reese Blvd North Suite ...Missing: transfer | Show results with:transfer
[33]
[PDF] Air Force Base - UNT Digital Library
Apr 18, 1995 · The USAF-hosted interim joint training at Reese AFB is shown in Figure 7. ... The Air Force analysis rates Reese below three UPT bases (Columbus, ...Missing: output 1960s 1980s
[34]
Federal Facilities/Base Closure in Texas | US EPA
Mar 6, 2025 · Reese AFB closed in 1997 as a result of the 1995 round of BRAC base closures. It formerly occupied about 2,987 acres west of Lubbock, Texas. A ...
[35]
Post-BRAC Renewal: Adaptive Reuse on the Southern Plains - NADO
The base was selected for closure during the 1995 BRAC round and final military operations ceased on the site in 1997. Under its obligations from the National ...
[36]
Reese Air Force Base Celebrates Ten Years Since Its Closing - KCBD
Oct 1, 2007 · "1200 jobs were lost with the closing and we've been able to bring back 700 of those so were not quite there but we'll continue to move forward ...Missing: losses | Show results with:losses
[37]
Mission success: 20 years after closure, Reese thriving
Sep 30, 2017 · It wasn't only an economic loss, it was a cultural and social loss that we were going to go through." A-J Media wrote on June 23, 1995, that it ...
[38]
[PDF] Revised 8/23/2024 4:56 PM LUBBOCK REESE REDEVELOPMENT ...
Aug 28, 2024 · properties within the geographical boundaries of the former Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas ... Texas Tech University (TTU), South ...
[39]
Elevation LARGE HANGAR WITH DRONE - Reese Technology Center
Skip to main content. Reese Center. search. Menu. Home · About⌄ · History · Agendas. Leasing⌄. Site Selector · Benefits · Development.
[40]
https://www.reesetechnologycenter.com/2022/04/07/matador-consortium-summit-aims-to-establish-uas-corridor-infrastructure/
[41]
Matador Consortium, pioneering use of drones for medical transport ...
Nov 18, 2022 · Matador Consortium, pioneering use of drones for medical transport, sets up shop at Reese Technology Center. The API failed to deliver the ...Missing: airfield | Show results with:airfield
[42]
West Texas Colocation at Reese Data Center in Lubbock
The Reese Data Center provides secure raised floor colocation space with redundant power, bandwidth, and cooling systems. Get Started. Get a quote now!Missing: research labs
[43]
Site Selector - Reese Center
### Available Spaces Relevant to Research
[44]
VorTECH | National Wind Institute | TTU
VorTECH, located at Reese Technology Center, is designed to simulate tornadic winds in the mid-Enhanced Fujita Scale three (EF3) range or less.
[45]
Wind Engineering Research Field Laboratory (WERFL)
The facility, located at Reese Technology Center, consists of a 160 ft meteorological tower instrumented at 5 heights (8', 13', 33', 70', and 160') and a 30'x45 ...
[46]
https://www.reesetechnologycenter.com/development/
[47]
Benefits - Reese Technology Center
Meeting/Event Space · Built-in Audio/Visual Equipment · Breakout Area – for Refreshments or Catering · WiFi Connectivity · Capacity: 60 people · Free for use by ...
[48]
9801 Reese Blvd, Lubbock, TX 79416 - LoopNet
Common Areas Available for Use in Building: Large Conference Room, Large Meeting/Training Room with A/V equipment, Break Room ...
[49]
Site Selector - Reese Technology Center
Hover over the plus signs to see brief info for each site. To view a particular listing, scroll past the map. Enjoy!
[50]
Warehouse/Office Space for Lease - Reese Technology Center
24/7 video surveillance and secure gated access provide peace of mind for Reese customers. Access to the Private Airfield is an added bonus for anyone who ...<|separator|>
[51]
East 90 Business Park: Reese Technology Center kicks off ... - KCBD
May 21, 2025 · Reese Technology Center CEO Murvat Musa says the new space will make room for an often-overlooked business sector, mid-sized manufacturing companies.Missing: industrial | Show results with:industrial
[52]
DOE/SNL Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) Facility
The wind energy test facility is located at Reese Technology Center. The ... 2500 Broadway Lubbock, Texas 79409; 806-742-2011. Follow Texas Tech ...
[53]
Advanced Wind Energy Projects Test Facility Moving to Texas Tech ...
The Texas Tech University Wind Science and Engineering (WISE) Center, located at Reese Technology Center, offers the collaboration a 35-year history in wind ...Missing: tunnel | Show results with:tunnel
[54]
Making history in wind studies - Sandia National Laboratories
Nov 3, 2022 · ... Reese Technology Center, the more than 19 acres and ... research areas, such as possibly using renewable energy for hydrogen generation.
[55]
[PDF] DOE/SNL-TTU Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility - OSTI.gov
The facility will be located at the Reese Technology. Center near Lubbock, TX. The primary roles of the new test site will be to develop and evalu- ate ...
[56]
Reese Technology Center: Research powerhouse in Lubbock - AF.mil
Dec 20, 2010 · It is used to test "safe rooms" and other products marketed to protect consumers during hurricanes and tornados. Then there's an enormous wind ...Missing: drone | Show results with:drone<|control11|><|separator|>
[57]
[PDF] Evaluating the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric ...
Jul 7, 2025 · This report and associated analysis were prepared for DOE purposes to evaluate both the current state of resource adequacy as well as future ...
[58]
Wind Energy Financial Incentives - WINDExchange
Federal, state, local, and utility financial incentives may be available for wind energy projects. These incentives can significantly influence project ...Missing: dependence | Show results with:dependence
[59]
House bill orders Reese Technology Center to strengthen ... - KCBD
May 19, 2025 · A house bill sponsored by Carl Tepper and Charles Perry passed both houses as Texas Tech now takes control of the Reese Technology Center.<|control11|><|separator|>
[60]
Texas Tech to Launch National Security Research Hub at Reese ...
May 20, 2025 · It significantly changes the center's mission to include national security and key infrastructure. Federal departments like the Pentagon ...Missing: shift | Show results with:shift
[61]
Research | CISI | TTU
Researchers are exploring ways to ensure the grid quickly recovers from failures related to cybersecurity attacks, mechanical failures and extreme weather ...Missing: unmanned | Show results with:unmanned
[62]
Critical Infrastructure Security Institute | CISI | Texas Tech
A world-class collaborative research institute that works to solve the continuous problem of cyber-security interruptions in critical infrastructure systems.Missing: resilient unmanned<|separator|>
[63]
Texas Tech University Expands Security Role With FBI Partnership
Oct 2, 2025 · The university system followed the FBI agreement in September by renaming its Reese Technology Center to the Reese National Security Complex ...Missing: unmanned | Show results with:unmanned
[64]
[PDF] SCIENCES FOR AVIATION PLATFORM SUSTAINMENT (SAPS)
May 4, 2017 · Since then, it has become a research and business park called Reese Technology Center (RTC). RTC has three operational runways: one 6,500 ...
[65]
Experimental Aerodynamics of a Small Fixed-Wing Unmanned ...
The experiments were conducted in the National Wind Institute (NWI) closed-loop, subsonic wind tunnel at the Reese Technology Center. The test section is ...
[66]
Increasing the Aerodynamic Performance of a Small ... - AIAA ARC
The model's construction was primarily achieved through additive manufacturing ... Reese Technology Center. The test section is 1.2 ... of the Institution of ...
[67]
Facilities | Institute for Materials, Manufacturing, and Sustainment
advanced prototyping facility door Advanced Prototyping and Manufacturing ... Reese Technology Center to address the United States Department of ...
[68]
Reese Technology Center - Wind Systems Magazine
The Reese Technology Center (RTC) is a campus centered in technology, research, engineering and education and a special purpose political subdivision.Missing: tunnel | Show results with:tunnel
[69]
[CPEO-MEF] REUSE: Reese Technology Center (TX)
In the past 13 years the campus has had tremendous growth turning the negative loss of the base closure into economic development and 750 jobs for the entire ...
[70]
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $865000 to Support Tech ...
Feb 11, 2021 · U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $865,000 to Support Tech-based Manufacturing and Job Growth Efforts at the Reese Technology Center in ...
[71]
$$2 million federal grant to fund new Lubbock business park
Feb 27, 2024 · The grant will help construction of the new business park, and put an emphasis on "innovation, disaster preparedness, and regional resiliency," ...Missing: planning post- closure
[72]
U.S. Department of Commerce invests $2 Million to support ... - KCBD
Feb 27, 2024 · This grant will support construction of a new business park with an emphasis on innovation, disaster preparedness, and regional resiliency. This ...Missing: Center retained
[73]
[PDF] AGENCY STRATEGIC PLAN - Texas Tech University Departments
direct basis for growth in employment and income. The closure of Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock has added to the economic headwind that confronts the ...
[74]
[PDF] Lubbock, Texas
As a thriving research, business, and technology park, Reese Center is ideally suited for business needs. There are more than 170 facilities which range from.Missing: occupancy | Show results with:occupancy