ARM Institute Announces Inclusion in Four Defense Manufacturing Communities Selected by the United States Office of Economic Adjustment
ARM Institute selected to participate in four of six new communities funded by the Department of Defense
November 12, 2020 – PITTSBURGH, PA – The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute reports that it is a member of four of the six Defense Manufacturing Communities (DMC) recently announced by the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA). ARM is the nation’s leading collaborative in robotics and workforce innovation, working at the confluence of industry, government, and academia. Structured as a public-private partnership, ARM and its member organizations catalyze robotic technologies and education solutions to strengthen the U.S. industrial base, protect our warfighters, and secure U.S. manufacturing resiliency. The DMC Support Program is designed to support long-term community investments that strengthen national security innovation and expand the capabilities of the defense industrial ecosystem.
The Department of Defense awarded six (6) grants totaling $25,000,000 under the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program by the Office of Economic Adjustment. These awards followed a competitive selection process culminating in Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord’s designation of six Defense Manufacturing Communities. The awards derive from Fiscal Year 2020 appropriated funding, and leverage an additional $12.6 million in non-Federal funding for a total investment of $37.6 million to enhance critical skills, research and development, and small business support in order to strengthen the national security innovation and manufacturing base.
The ARM Institute will help meet the goals of the following four Defense Manufacturing Communities:
The Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Consortium (AIM Higher)
States: Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio
Lead organization Southwestern PA Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Catalyst Connection was awarded $5,000,000 to undertake a $6,250,000 project to strengthen defense manufacturing capabilities through an industrial production ecosystem that melds advanced metals and materials with artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, and robotics. The AIM Higher Consortium will involve 30 entities across the Pennsylvania-West Virginia-Ohio region and build on existing manufacturing collaborations in order to upskill the regional workforce, familiarize manufacturers with new technologies, and spur innovation in these specialized sectors.
Alabama Defense Advanced Manufacturing Community
State: Alabama
Lead organization University of Alabama in Huntsville was awarded $3,700,000 to undertake a $6,171,074 project to facilitate visibility, workforce training, and adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies in the region, with a focus on aviation, missiles, and ground vehicle systems. The Alabama Defense Advanced Manufacturing Community includes 22 counties in collaboration with several military installations with operations utilizing advanced manufacturing technologies, including Redstone Arsenal, Anniston Army Depot, Fort Rucker, and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base.
Ohio Defense Manufacturing Community
State: Ohio
Lead organization Ohio Development Services Agency was awarded $5,000,000 to undertake a $6,250,000 project through the Ohio Defense Manufacturing Community to offer Industry 4.0 technical assistance and workforce training for small- and mid-sized defense manufacturers, with a focus on the aerospace and ground vehicle sectors. This project will include leveraging the state’s existing Manufacturing Extension Partnerships and establishing new collaborations with educational facilities statewide in developing the Industry 4.0 workforce of the future.
Utah Defense Manufacturing Community
State: Utah
Lead organization the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development was awarded $5,000,000 to undertake a $11,005,000 project to enhance the capabilities of the regional defense industrial ecosystem, with a focus on carbon composites and advanced materials. The project will include several initiatives to strengthen workforce development across the Utah Defense Manufacturing Community, including developing defense manufacturing apprenticeship programs and retraining workers displaced as a result of COVID-19.
“Our inclusion in two-thirds of the newly formed Defense Manufacturing Communities highlights the importance of robotic technologies and workforce development strategies”, stated ARM CEO Ira Moskowitz. “We look forward to working with these organizations to continue to strengthen and grow the U.S. manufacturing industry.”
ABOUT THE ARM INSTITUTE
The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute accelerates the development and adoption of robotics technologies that are the foundation of every advanced manufacturing activity today and in the future. We leverage a unique, robust and diverse ecosystem of partners across industry, academia and government to make robotics, autonomy and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers large and small, train and empower the manufacturing workforce, strengthen our economy and global competitiveness, and elevate our national security and resilience. Founded in 2017 in Pittsburgh, PA by Carnegie Mellon University and operating as an independent non-profit funded by the Department of Defense, ARM is part of the DoD Manufacturing USA® network. Learn more at www.arminstitute.org.