In 1972, Dr. Jim Shamblin, a professor in Industrial Engineering at Oklahoma State University was looking for research dollars and a “niche” to compete with larger schools by applying engineering technology to small towns and local governments. The result was the formation of the Center for Local Government Technology (CLGT). Dr. Shamblin secured a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to help small towns or local governments use computer technology. Initially, a computer program was developed to analyze traffic accident data for the Stillwater Police Department. This simple technology was so successful the cities of Norman, Lawton, and even Los Angeles, CA began using a modification of the program. With the help of Dr. Joe Mize, Industrial Engineering department head at the time, Dr. Shamblin submitted another proposal to the NSF asking to model the Land Grant Universities Cooperative Extension Programs by providing assistance with engineering technologies to local units of governments through the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology. From this initial funding, CLGT has evolved into the programs it operates today.