Four West Virginia operations will be part of a federal pilot program meant to strengthen the country's manufacturing sector, the Obama administration announced Thursday.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Four West Virginia operations will be part of a federal pilot program meant to strengthen the country's manufacturing sector, the Obama administration announced Thursday.
The federal government awarded $30 million for the program, which will focus on additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing is often referred to as 3D printing and is a way of making products from a digital model.
"I'm pleased that we are taking steps to strengthen American manufacturing by launching a new manufacturing institute in Ohio," President Obama said in a written statement.
"This institute will help make sure that the manufacturing jobs of tomorrow take root not in places like China or India, but right here in the United States of America. That's how we'll put more people back to work and build an economy that lasts."
The National Additive Innovation Institute in Ohio will include 40 companies, colleges and nonprofit organizations in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Locally, the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing, FMW Composites Inc. In Bridgeport, Touchstone Research Laboratory in Triadelphia and the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown will be a part of the institute.
The institute is the first of 15 manufacturing institutes Obama's administration has plans to start as a part of its National Network for Manufacturing Innovation.
As part of the institute, RCBI's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centers in Huntington, South Charleston, Bridgeport and Rocket Center will expand their additive technology programs, though how much is unclear, said James E. Casto, associate director of public information for RCBI .
The exact amount of money RCBI and other West Virginia sites will receive has not been decided, Casto said.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Four West Virginia operations will be part of a federal pilot program meant to strengthen the country's manufacturing sector, the Obama administration announced Thursday.
The federal government awarded $30 million for the program, which will focus on additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing is often referred to as 3D printing and is a way of making products from a digital model.
"I'm pleased that we are taking steps to strengthen American manufacturing by launching a new manufacturing institute in Ohio," President Obama said in a written statement.
"This institute will help make sure that the manufacturing jobs of tomorrow take root not in places like China or India, but right here in the United States of America. That's how we'll put more people back to work and build an economy that lasts."
The National Additive Innovation Institute in Ohio will include 40 companies, colleges and nonprofit organizations in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Locally, the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing, FMW Composites Inc. In Bridgeport, Touchstone Research Laboratory in Triadelphia and the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown will be a part of the institute.
The institute is the first of 15 manufacturing institutes Obama's administration has plans to start as a part of its National Network for Manufacturing Innovation.
As part of the institute, RCBI's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centers in Huntington, South Charleston, Bridgeport and Rocket Center will expand their additive technology programs, though how much is unclear, said James E. Casto, associate director of public information for RCBI .
The exact amount of money RCBI and other West Virginia sites will receive has not been decided, Casto said.
The 40 operations together will match the $30 million in federal funding with $40 million.
Casto said he did not know how much each institute would contribute to the $40 million match. An email to the White House was not immediately returned Thursday.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., praised the Obama administration for its work on the initiative.
"West Virginia has a strong history of manufacturing and developing new technologies," Rockefeller said in a prepared statement. "It's only appropriate that our state continues to help lead the way with a groundbreaking new program to guarantee that America is making the best, most innovative products, and putting more people back to work."
Sen. Joe Manchin, D., W.Va., touted the project as a step in the right direction.
"The people of West Virginia and I believe that now is the time to start rebuilding America by creating good American jobs right here at home, and I am pleased that this project will take a step in that direction," Manchin said in a prepared statement.
Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., said the project is a significant "stamp of approval" for RCBI.
Reach Lori Kersey at lori.ker...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1240.
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