WAKE FOREST, N.C. – July 22, 2026 – The Wireless Research Center (WRC) recognizes Representative Mike Schietzelt for his leadership in securing a $500,000 state investment to support the development of shared-access, secure research infrastructure.

As a founding co-chair of the National Security Technology and Innovation Caucus in the North Carolina General Assembly, Representative Schietzelt has played a key role in advancing initiatives that strengthen North Carolina’s defense innovation ecosystem, expand partnerships with the Department of Defense, and promote long-term economic growth across the state.

The investment marks a significant milestone in positioning North Carolina as a premier destination for Department of Defense research, technology transition, and advanced manufacturing, particularly in advanced communications, wireless systems, quantum technologies, electronic warfare, and other dual-use technologies that support both national security and economic competitiveness.

The funding also establishes a foundation for long-term infrastructure development designed to attract future federal investment, private capital, and defense industry activity throughout the state. The appropriation will support the continued development of WRC 3.0, a statewide innovation ecosystem designed to connect government, academia, entrepreneurs, industry, and investors through shared secure research and engineering infrastructure.

This state investment arrives as the Department of War signals a historic scale-up of its defense industrial base initiatives, including a recently announced $10 billion national investment in materiel production and innovation infrastructure. WRC brings direct experience to this moment: as an awardee on a similar program, designed to enable non-traditional firms like WRC to pursue classified work, WRC seeks to scale the initiative to develop a shared classified workspace in the Research Triangle region, expanding secure capacity for regional defense partners.

Backed by private capital, the WRC is partnering to develop a quantum networking testbed that spans most of North Carolina. WRC seeks to help startups, small businesses, and universities transition dual-use commercial technology into national security applications. WRC has already demonstrated the kind of trusted, dual-use technology transition capability the Department is now looking to expand nationwide. This track record positions North Carolina to compete directly for this next wave of federal investment.

The initiative integrates three complementary assets that strengthen North Carolina’s capabilities in defense research, development, and commercialization:

  • Wake Forest Secure Engineering and Prototyping Campus: Development of secure engineering, collaboration, and classified workspaces that enable companies, universities, and government organizations to collaborate on sensitive national security initiatives.
  • Wake Forest Testing and Analysis Laboratory: Advanced wireless engineering laboratories, anechoic chambers, RF testing, electromagnetic compatibility, and product development capabilities that support the transition of emerging technologies from concept to deployment.
  • Western Campus: A nationally unique RF-quiet environment featuring satellite communications, future optical, and secure research capabilities that support next-generation communications, quantum technologies, space systems, and resilient national infrastructure.

Collectively, these facilities establish a statewide innovation platform that expands access to critical infrastructure for North Carolina entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses, universities, and established companies pursuing Department of Defense and other national security opportunities.

“This represents much more than an investment in facilities,” said Dr. David Whitmire, President of the Wireless Research Center. “It represents North Carolina’s commitment to becoming a strategic partner in America’s defense innovation ecosystem. Representative Mike Schietzelt understands that our future competitiveness depends on creating environments where government, universities, entrepreneurs, industry, and private capital can securely collaborate to address some of our nation’s most important technological challenges.”

“Every major innovation ecosystem begins with a deliberate investment in shared capability,” said Dr. Gerard Hayes, Chief Scientist, Corporate Science, of the Wireless Research Center. “This positions North Carolina to compete for the industries that will define the next generation of economic growth and national security. We believe this investment will catalyze substantially larger public and private investments that position North Carolina as a leading center for secure technology development.”

The Wireless Research Center extends its appreciation to Representative Mike Schietzelt, members of the North Carolina General Assembly, and its public and private partners, including the N.C. Critical Technologies Alliance, for their support in advancing the state’s defense innovation infrastructure.

As WRC 3.0 continues to expand, the Center will continue working with state leaders, the Department of Defense, federal agencies, universities, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and private investors to strengthen North Carolina’s defense innovation ecosystem, accelerate the commercialization of critical technologies, create high-value jobs, and enhance both the state’s economy and the nation’s security.

About the Wireless Research Center

The Wireless Research Center is an independent nonprofit research and engineering organization advancing wireless, communications, spectrum, and emerging technologies through testing, engineering, technology transition, and public-private collaboration. Through WRC 3.0, the Center is building North Carolina’s secure defense innovation infrastructure—integrating advanced laboratories, secure collaboration environments, engineering expertise, and strategic partnerships to accelerate dual-use technologies and strengthen the state’s role in the nation’s Defense Industrial Base.