Governor Corbett: Federal Grant Award Positions PA for Manufacturing Growth, Job Creation

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that a public–private team from Pennsylvania, in partnership with Northeast Ohio and West Virginia, was awarded a $30 million federal grant from the Department of Defense to develop an Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (AMII).

The institute will develop a roadmap to increase domestic competitiveness through increasing the successful transition of additive manufacturing technology, advancing innovation and creating a workforce capable of meeting industry needs.

"My mission as Governor is centered on growing our economy and making sure there is a job for every Pennsylvanian that wants one," said Corbett. "Today's announcement positions Pennsylvania as a leading location for the growth of a $6 billion industry and the potential for significant job creation."

The awarded proposal was submitted by "Tech Belt" a partnership which includes a team from Pennsylvania, Northeast Ohio and West Virginia. Secretary C. Alan Walker of the Department of Community and Economic Development and Secretary Julia Hearthway of the Department of Labor & Industry, provided a joint letter of support for the application, including a pledge to provide a portion of the matching funds which helped to leverage the $30 million award.

AMII represents the largest statewide partnership in a single national initiative to date – combining industry, research and workforce development resources. The institute will partner with colleges, universities and community colleges to deliver new training and curricula to the workforce. Overall, the project will directly engage nearly 9,000 students, teachers and workers through course development and online outreach with companies and innovators. 

"For too long, Pennsylvanians who earned a college degree have had to leave the state to find employment," Corbett said. "This initiative will help to develop a relationship between schools and businesses to create jobs for graduates, right here at home."

The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining in Latrobe, Westmoreland County will serve as the lead for this advanced manufacturing initiative. The commonwealth will partner with the AMII in outreach and education efforts to PA manufacturers and will retain representation on the governing and technical advisory boards.

The Pennsylvania Team includes advanced manufacturing firms, Carnegie Mellon University, Lehigh University, Penn State University, Philadelphia University, Robert Morris University, and the University of Pittsburgh.  The initiative will also engage community colleges, the Pennsylvania College of Technology, industry organizations and the PA manufacturing-focused Industrial Resource Centers.

Additive manufacturing takes a technology leap from current manufacturing approaches by offering more efficient methods of forming metal and other materials into highly complex shapes and parts. This emerging manufacturing technology will be applicable to a number of industry sectors, including: aircraft, oil and gas production equipment, robotics, electronics, medical devices, and "smart" structural materials.

Media contact: Kelli Roberts, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor