SPOKANE, Wash. — The Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has named the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center in Spokane as one of the 31 designated tech hubs in the US.
The EDA received almost 200 applications and Spokane’s consortium, the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center, was one of 31 selected.
The consortium, led by Gonzaga University and 50 other industry leaders, are working to meet the need demand for lightweight composite materials made in America at large scale.
The consortium’s vision is to create a regional hub for research and commercialization of advanced composite materials for the aerospace and aviation industries, including development of the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center near Spokane International Airport.
“Gonzaga is proud to serve as the lead for this broad-based and powerful consortium,” said Thayne McCulloh, president of Gonzaga University, “and we are grateful to our lead partner Lakeside Companies and to each one of our regional partners for the critical role they have played to date. The consortium is a dynamic partnership of entities from across the Inland Northwest, representing industry, research, education, government, and workforce, all collaborating to achieve high-rate production goals for the next generation of aerospace manufacturing.”
The demand for aerospace composites is growing, especially with the initiative to change the global landscape.
This 50-acre, 386,000-square foot facility in Spokane will focus on research and development of large thermoplastic composite aviation materials, which can make aircraft and spacecraft more fuel-efficient. The global aviation industry is looking to composite materials and advanced manufacturing as a solution to reduce carbon emissions and lower operating costs.
“Today, the Department of Commerce recognized the Spokane region as the nation’s future aerospace advanced materials Technology Hub,” Sen. Cantwell said. “There are already 54 aerospace suppliers within 20 miles of Spokane, and the planned American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center is a prime example of the breadth of that ecosystem.”
Nearly 50 Spokane organizations collaborated on the proposal to establish the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center in Spokane.
This announcement makes the Spokane consortium eligible to apply for funding next year. At least five hubs will be awarded $50 – $75 million each under funding authorized by the CHIPS & Science Act.
For more information on Spokane’s aerospace materials manufacturing industry, next steps for Spokane’s American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center or history of the Tech Hub program, please click on this link!
