TEXARKANA, Texas – A new international partnership could help attract Japanese investment, technology, and business development opportunities to the Texarkana region.
Leaders from TexAmericas Center, AIST Solutions, AIST Solutions America, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and regional economic development organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday designed to strengthen collaboration between Northeast Texas and one of Japan’s leading research organizations.
Officials say the agreement creates a framework to help emerging technologies move from research and development into testing, demonstration, and commercial production. The goal is to connect innovative companies with the resources they need to expand into the U.S. market while creating new opportunities for economic growth in the Texarkana area.
“The biggest takeaway from today’s signing is there’s interest for investment in the Texarkana region, both domestically and abroad,” said Scott Norton, Executive Director and CEO of TexAmericas Center.
The partnership builds on an existing relationship between Texas A&M University-Texarkana and AIST Solutions and focuses on accelerating the commercialization of advanced technologies. Through the agreement, TexAmericas Center will help guide companies interested in locating operations in the region, while university and economic development partners provide research support, business connections, and workforce development resources.
Seiji Osaka of AIST Solutions said the collaboration is a natural fit.
“I think the strategic partnerships between our institute and this market, this industry is a good match,” Osaka said.
Regional leaders believe the partnership could position Texarkana as a gateway for Japanese companies looking to establish a presence in the United States while also providing local businesses and workers with access to new opportunities.
“We live in an attractive area for people to want to invest their resources and grow the region here,” Norton said. “We’re trying to do that in a very methodical, thoughtful process that benefits those companies, but also benefits the people that are already here and have invested in this community for many years.”
Norton says the agreement is intended to serve as a roadmap for future collaboration and could help transform research breakthroughs into new companies, jobs, and long-term investment across Northeast Texas.
