The Tarleton State Innovation & Entrepreneurship University Center (TIEUC), designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) as the first EDA-funded university center in North Central Texas, operates under the university’s Division of Research, Innovation and Economic Development (RIED). The Center builds upon a growing knowledge and research-driven ecosystem designed to foster entrepreneurship, workforce growth, quality job creation and long-term economic resilience across a 24-county, predominantly rural service region.
In close partnership with the Board of Regents-approved Institute for Rural Economic Development and Research, established in 2023, TIEUC leverages demographic, economic and survey data to inform transferable need-gap analysis reports and digital planning resources. A central feature of the center’s outreach is a comprehensive and growing repository of 48 interactive socioeconomic dashboards published to provide public access to real-time regional data across critical categories, including business, health, demographics, education, income, economy, transportation and housing. To maximize its regional footprint, TIEUC collaborates closely with key community partners, including the North Central Texas Economic Development District (EDD), Heart of Texas EDD, Texas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, Workforce Solutions, TechFW, SparkYard, in addition to regional Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) and local Chambers of Commerce.
The University Center’s interdisciplinary research program examines vulnerable rural areas to help fortify local economies against natural and structural disruptions. TIEUC focuses on core areas such as food and nutrition security by evaluating regional supply chains and social safety net access, as well as agricultural production and natural hazard risk. Additionally, researchers analyze rural development, GDP trends, income insecurity, manufacturing growth, rural health outcomes and critical housing affordability metrics. These findings are published through interactive dashboards, bi-monthly newsletters and in-depth digital reports.
Beyond data analytics, TIEUC prioritizes hands-on community capacity building and talent development. Direct engagement workshop series are hosted across regional hubs and serve between 40 and 60 annual attendees, providing tailored skill-building, storytelling and networking opportunities to business owners and rural entrepreneurs. The center’s operational and research activities are directed by an interdisciplinary team led by Dr. Rupa Iyer, Executive Director and Vice President of RIED. The team includes senior research scientist Dr. Kolawole Ogundari, supporting research faculty member Dr. Catalin Dinulescu representing the College of Business, grant administrator Brian Iken, and web platform developer Bill Kudrle. Community members, regional leaders and prospective business partners seeking more information or media inquiries can contact Brian Iken by phone at 254-968-1618, via email at tieuc@tarleton.edu or by visiting the center’s web platform at tarleton.edu/tieuc/.