States Focus on Building Blocks of their Economies to Jumpstart Growth
Whether in creating new businesses, developing a skilled workforce, or building stronger connections between universities and regional economies, governors and lawmakers have taken a “grow your own” approach to economic recovery over the past two years, finds a report from the National Governors Association (NGA). The report identifies six trends that have emerged during this time, including states emphasizing job creation from within, strengthening support for advanced manufacturing, and creating partnerships to meet industry’s demand for talent.
Global Clinton Initiative Announces Pilot Manufacturing Supply Chain Network, Reports look at U.S. Manufacturing
The Global Clinton Initiative (GCI) and five partner organizations announced a regional pilot program that will create a manufacturing supply chain network to support small- and midsized-manufacturers in the Hudson Valley region of New York. The goal of the pilot program is to create a scalable model that will ultimately provide a framework for a nationwide supply chain network and grow the country’s manufacturing base.
Helping Small- and Mid-Sized Manufacturers Reach Their Export Potential
The Great Recession forced a number of U.S. manufacturers and service providers to look outside national borders to not only succeed, but to survive in the face of a weak domestic market. In their latest report, On the Threshold: Refocusing U.S. Export Assistance Strategy for Manufacturers, Stone & Associates argues that the U.S. must focus on bolstering manufacturing exports as a way to lessen U.S. reliance on its domestic market, reduce the trade deficit, and foster job creation.
Is Technology Innovation a Job Creator or Job Killer?
This week, the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) hosted a debate between ITIF’s President Robert Atkinson and Andrew McAfee, principal research scientist at the Center for Digital Business in the MIT Sloan School of Management and co-author of Race Against the Machine. The lively debate revolved around the impact of technology innovation on the U.S.
AAM Releases Latest Volume on American Manufacturing
The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) released a five-year report highlighting the progress it has made since its creation in 2007. In that time it has hosted 40 town hall meetings, won a Campaign Excellence Award, released a number of research reports and publications, and has worked with federal, state and local governments to advocate for American Manufacturing.
MIT Commission Finds Manufacturing Collaboration Key to U.S. Innovation Future
Last week, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Production in an Innovation Economy (PIE) Commission released its findings from two years of research on how to remove the barriers that prevent the U.S. from turning its strengths in science and research into jobs, businesses and products. In order to ensure that American innovations reach the marketplace, the U.S. must rebuild its manufacturing sector, with particular focus on improving the support ecosystem for smaller advanced manufacturing firms, according to the commission.
Alcoa CEO Views Education and Partnerships as Keys for Manufacturing Competitiveness
Last week the Columbus Metropolitan Club hosted Alcoa CEO Klaus Kleinfeld to give remarks on the state of American manufacturing. Kleinfeld made the case that "talent is global," and that the U.S. must invest heavily in workforce development and STEM education if our country wants to continue to grow the manufacturing sector and remain globally competitive.
Textile Industry Returns to South, Reflects Broader Comeback for U.S. Manufacturing
During most of the 20th century the textile industry was an economic pillar of the American South. During the 1990s the forces of globalization caused most of the industry to move overseas. Economic experts predicted that the textile industry would never return to U.S. soil. Recently, towns like like Gastonia, NC, and Gaffney, SC, have seen shuttered mills reopened for business as advanced manufacturing technologies have supported the growth of an emerging advanced textiles sector.
Web-based Platform Connects Manufacturers with Technology Expertise in NY
Manufacturers often struggle with overcoming hurdles to growth, such as implementing new technologies and processes that will streamline operations. A new web-based platform launched in New York aims to address these challenges by connecting small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses with statewide technology resources and expertise, including industry experts from the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership, universities and private sector businesses.
White House Showcases Potential of Maker Movement to Boost Local Manufacturing
Last week the White House hosted a Google Hangout on the American Maker Movement and highlighted some dynamic programs that are turning the Maker Movement into a legitimate economic development tool for regions across the country.
EDA Launches $1.3B Manufacturing Communities Competition
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced a new competition to reward communities demonstrating best practices in attracting and expanding manufacturing. EDA will offer the competition as part of its Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), which helps support comprehensive, integrated efforts to boost manufacturing and jobs. EDA plans to publish a Federal Register notice on Tuesday, December 10, seeking applications for regions to be designated one of up to 12 manufacturing communities.
MEP Announces Recompetition of 13 MEP Centers, Regional Forums for Next Round
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced a recompetition of Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers in 12 states and Puerto Rico including: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Utah, and Vermont.
DOD Announces Intent to Fund New $80M Robotics-Focused MII
The Department of Defense’s Army Contracting Command released a new federal funding opportunity (FFO) to establish and sustain a Robots in Manufacturing Environments Manufacturing Innovation Institute (RIME-MII) to increase U.S. competitiveness in robotics applied primarily in manufacturing environments. The intent of the new $80 million RIME-MII is to:
OSTP, NEC Release Call to Action for Upcoming National Manufacturing Day
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Economic Council (NEC) published a call to action concerning the upcoming National Manufacturing Day (October 7, 2016) &n
Massachusetts Makes $1B Investment in Community Development, Workforce Training, Innovation
Midwest States Launch Public-Private R&D Centers in Key Manufacturing Industries
Over the last few weeks, Indiana and Michigan have announced the launch of manufacturing-focused innovation centers to help transform manufacturing sectors that are long-standing drivers of economic prosperity in their respective state into 21st century global hubs for manufacturing innovation. In partnership with key local industry partners, these centers are intended to help spur job creation while reimaging the role of manufacturing in their state through innovation.
Federal Reserve: Latest Manufacturing Activity Varies by Region
Each month, several Federal Reserve Banks post survey results for manufacturing activity within their districts. The June results for those released to date vary sharply by region.
MEP Announces Competition for Operation of 11 MEP State Centers
The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST-MEP) released a federal funding opportunity (FFO) for the operation of MEP state centers in 11 states – Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Wyoming. The objective of the MEP Center program is to provide business and technical servi
Manufacturing Org Launches National Effort Targeted at High School Students
With the U.S. facing an anticipated skills gap of two million manufacturing jobs by 2025, SME – a national manufacturing workforce development organization – launched the SME High School Membership program – a free online platform to “educate the next generation on the value of manufacturing and encourage careers in the field.” The new platform is the expansion of a pilot program that engaged more than 600 high school students via memberships, which included SME’s 16 PRIME (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) schools. Utilizing STEM Premier’s online platform, students can create a digital profile to showcase their skills and abilities; receive customized academic and career guidance; match up with $20 billion in scholarship opportunities; and, directly connect with colleges and companies looking to recruit.
White House Adds Eighth Manufacturing Innovation Hub, Touts $2B Investment in Manufacturing R&D
Last week, the Department of Defense announced the launch of the eighth institute in the National Network of Manufacturing and Innovation (NNMI) in Cambridge, MA. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology will spearhead the consortium of 89 manufacturers, universities and nonprofits to develop new technologies around fiber and textiles manufacturing. Alongside the launch, the White House released a new report highlighting the administration’s advanced manufacturing priorities and how federal funding is being used to support strategic technologies.
DOE Announces Over $100M Available to Improve Clean Energy Manufacturing
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) released a notice of intent to establish a Modular Chemical Process Intensification Institute for Clean Energy Manufacturing –the fourth National Manufacturing Innovation Institute sponsored by the Department of Energy.
SC, NJ, Others Announce Funding for Industry-Specific Workforce Development
To build 21st century workforces in key S&T sectors, several new public-private initiatives have been launched in South Carolina, New Jersey, Utah, and Montana. These initiatives are intended to better align the educational training of students with the needs of industries that each respective state has identified as a key industry cluster. Target industries include advanced manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, chemistry and plastics, and cyber security.
South Carolina
DOE Announces Intent to Fund New NNMI, Clean Tech Manufacturing Pilot Program
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) released a notice of intent to establish and sustain a Clean Energy
Manufacturing Innovation Institute for Reducing Embodied-Energy and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) in materials manufacturing. The $70 million funding opportunity
will be released in June to enable the development and widespread deployment of key industrial platform technologies that will dramatically reduce life-cycle
DOE Requests Proposals for $70M Clean Energy Manufacturing Institute, Announces Topic for Next Institute
The Department of Energy (DOE) announced today that they are seeking proposals for a new Clean Energy Manufacturing Institute, a part of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). The $70 million Modular Chemical Process Intensification Institute will focus on developing breakthrough technologies that increase the energy efficiency of manufacturing processes used across an array of U.S. industries.
America Makes Launches Effort to Define Additive Manufacturing Standards and Specifications
America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, announced the creation of the Additive Manufacturing Standardization Collaborative (AMSC) – an effort to coordinate and accelerate development of industry-wide additive manufacturing (AM) standards and specifications.