WSU gets major grant for aerospace research facilities

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) –  A $2.1 million federal grant awarded to Wichita State University for new aerospace research facilities is expected to create nearly 500 jobs over the next 10 years.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the U.S. Commerce Department announced the grant to the school’s National Institute for Aviation Research on Thursday.

The money will be matched with university funds generated by the institute’s contracts with private industry and will go toward a new flight test research center and a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility.

WSU associate vice president Tracee Friess says the 475 jobs expected to be created over the next decade “will all be engineers and technicians.