Tucson, Arizona (KGUN) — The University of Arizona and Raytheon have cemented Southern Arizona’s reputation for technology. Now, to build our economy and strengthen our national security, the U.S. Department of Commerce is looking to stimulate technology growth across the country. KGUN9 On Your Side details where Southern Arizona wants to fit in.

The federal government is searching 20 locations nationwide for new technology development centers and hopes Southern Arizona will be one of them.

Pima Community College is already deeply committed to technical education, including training in skills such as computer-aided manufacturing.

For students, the idea of ​​a technology center that strengthens our region’s technological base and attracts more employers has a lot of appeal.

The computer and software skills used to control this machine are adaptable to many areas of technology.

Student Daniel Hodges said: It could be as simple as cutting a piece of metal, or it could be controlling some kind of device they hadn’t thought of yet. ”

US Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Castillo spoke with local leaders about plans for the technology center. She says that if the Southern Arizona area becomes the center, precision technology could become just about everything in the tech world.

“It could be anything from environmental technology, agricultural technology, mining, remediation methods. cybersecurity, aerospace and defense manufacturing, and more.”

The conference brought together cross-cutting sections of government, business and education. The assistant secretary said the time has come to choose the location of the technology center, a region that can demonstrate its superiority.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero says the area already knows what it needs in the future.

“This is putting into action what we know and what we have learned so that we can create jobs and high-paying, long-term, sustainable jobs here in Tucson and southern Arizona. I wish to become