LAWTON – U.S. Rep. Tom Cole recalled the day when Lawton officials first told him about their plan to convert part of Central Plaza into a hub for defense contractors.
“I remember being just impressed by the vision and the determination it took, and those kinds of decisions are tough for communities to make,” he said. “But it was made. And now look at this place.”
Cole, who represents Oklahoma’s 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House, spoke during a joint ribbon-cutting and lease-signing ceremony Oct. 29 at the FISTA Innovation Park in Central Plaza. Representatives of the Innovation Park’s newest tenants joined FISTA officials for the ceremony.
Four businesses signed their FISTA leases during the ceremony: Knowmadics, a Virginia-based software company; MyDefence, a Florida- based developer of counter-drone technology; Aeon Industrial, a Texas-based developer of precision missile systems; and Allen Control Systems, a Texas- based company that specializes in creating autonomous precision weapon systems.
Three additional businesses that have set up shop at the Innovation Park celebrated the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Those companies were Leidos, a Virginia-based company that offers data analytics, cybersecurity and other services; Torch Technologies, an engineering consulting firm based in Alabama; and BlueHalo, a Alabama-based aerospace company.
Altogether, the Innovation Park now has 20 tenants.
The new companies will bring fresh energy, opportunities and services to the Innovation Park, said FISTA President and CEO Dr. Krista Ratliff.
“Their investment here is a testament to the strength and potential of our development,” she said. “We’re excited about the roles they will play in enhancing our facility, bringing jobs, fostering creativity and contributing to the vibrant economy that benefits everyone in southwest Oklahoma.”