The Manufacturing USA network spent 2023 creating and launching a host of key initiatives poised to gain momentum in 2024 and beyond, furthering its mission to secure United States global leadership in advanced manufacturing by connecting people, ideas and technology.
The inaugural Modern Makers campaign launched in 2023 to showcase individuals whose sense of purpose embody the Manufacturing USA mission to secure the future of U.S. manufacturing through innovation, education and collaboration. Through podcasts, webinars and in-person events, each of the 16 Modern Makers have shared their experiences in manufacturing, the opportunities that many don’t know about and the exciting careers available in the industry.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a summary of public comments solicited to inform the design of, and requirements for, potential Manufacturing USA institutes that would strengthen the semiconductor and microelectronics innovation ecosystem in such areas as design, fabrication, advanced test, assembly and packaging capabilities.
Through the Workforce, Education and Vibrant Ecosystems (WEAVE) funding opportunity, NIST invited eligible Manufacturing USA institutes to propose high-impact public service projects to support vibrant and inclusive advanced manufacturing ecosystems that promote domestic production of institute-developed advanced manufacturing technologies and equitable access to good jobs.
According to a recent news release from Manufacturing USA, several of the 17 institutes in the network are key players in convening stakeholders for the economic development of their regions. In fact, two institutes received significant funding from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Agency (EDA) Build Back Better (BBB) initiative, three institutes recently received EDA grants associated with the CHIPS and Science Act, and another institute’s parent organization got a grant from the Department of Defense’s (DoD) funding from the CHIPS and Science Act.
The ARM Institute (Pittsburgh, Pa.) received $14.2 million of the region’s $62.7 million Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative BBB grant to create a Robotics Manufacturing Hub and support four innovation accelerators in an 11-county region. The EDA grants are also helping fund programming, equipment and services at four community college innovation accelerators in Southwestern Pennsylvania to give students, entrepreneurs and manufacturers access to these resources.
The ARM Institute has become a regional player and opened their Robotics Manufacturing Hub in April 2023, offering free or low-cost services for qualifying manufacturers to fix specific manufacturing and integration issues. ARM Institute Outreach Manager Livia Rice said in a statement that demand was high from the start, especially from existing companies looking to automate operations to stay competitive and enable long-term growth. The Hub has quickly filled its pipeline, helping to address a critical robotics manufacturing skills gap that is increasingly driving the industrial economy.
BioFabUSA (Manchester, N.H.) was recently designated by EDA as one of 31 national Tech Hubs. BioFabUSA’s parent organization, the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), was awarded $34 million of the City of Manchester’s $44 million BBB grant and also leads the ReGen Valley Tech Hub, which aims to make New Hampshire a global leader in biofabrication to produce cost-effective regenerative therapies that address chronic disease and organ failure.
The Tech Hub will drive global impact while the BBB grant ensures the local community, especially those in low-income and underrepresented populations, benefits economically from its growth. Companies will have access to resources, research facilities, funding and a pipeline of trained workers. The partners include educational institutions, community non-profits, local labor unions and affordable housing organizations. The largest programmatic component of the EDA BBB funding is focused on connecting local residents to training and education programs while providing services such as access to transportation and childcare.
America Makes is a partner in the new Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub, which is led by the Greater Akron (Ohio) Chamber of Commerce. America Makes keeps the innovation pipeline flowing by identifying and researching adoption challenges in polymer-based 3D printing, such as recycled and upcycled feedstock and assessment tools.
According to the U.S. Economic Development Association, the Akron area has the largest concentration of plastics and rubber manufacturing plants, machines and materials in North America and is positioned to establish global leadership in sustainable technology in those areas. As Manufacturing USA’s most mature institute, America Makes is in a position to help create a path forward to modernize the supply base through a dedicated focus on aligning local ecosystems around manufacturing technology imperatives. The idea is a measurable and repeatable process to accelerate technology adoption that could help other critical industries.
CyManII led the Secure Manufacturing in South Texas Strategy Development Consortium in its application for an EDA Tech Hub. The consortium of 13 organizations in San Antonio, Tex. was awarded a Strategy Development Grant to develop a regional coalition and innovation roadmap to mature cybersecurity and secure manufacturing technologies. As a newer institute—created three years ago— much of CyManII’s efforts are in advancing research through development and testing. They work on integrating information technology (IT) with operational technology (OT) to help companies produce more secure and sustainable enterprise resource planning software and system integrations for the end users.
The Secure Manufacturing in South Texas Strategy Development Consortium will develop an innovation roadmap for cybersecurity and secure manufacturing technologies. The effort will be led by the University of Texas at San Antonio, which is where CyManII is based.
PowerAmerica’s home institution, North Carolina State University, received a $39.4 million DoD grant to build the Commercial Leap Ahead for WideBandgap Semiconductors (CLAWS) semiconductor research hub, which will create a semiconductor research foundry to advance next generation chips and fabrication technology. CLAWS is one of eight federal research hubs around the U.S. created from the CHIPS and Science Act. The hubs are charged with developing the physical, digital and human infrastructure needed to support microelectronics research and development. Hubs are expected to become self-sufficient by the end of their initial five-year awards.
Like other institutes, PowerAmerica works with private companies, universities and National Labs on the engineering and education sides of the business to de-risk technology and make it more attractive to investors. While PowerAmerica does not make recommendations on investments, convening the right people within the semiconductor ecosystem does help connect customers and suppliers to advance the mission.
By growing their respective technology ecosystems, the Manufacturing USA institutes create better climates for manufacturers to adopt innovative applications and grow their businesses. Their economic development activities are designed to strengthen the supply chain and competitive position of U.S. manufacturing companies. This, in turn, will provide pathways to Americans seeking rewarding, living-wage jobs and contribute to stronger local, regional and national communities.
Visit https://www.manufacturingusa.com/ for more information.
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