The Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region is a growing leader in innovation and advanced manufacturing, and the recent establishment of the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) exemplifies this momentum.
AAMMC, a consortium led by Lakeside Companies and Gonzaga University, has received more than $50 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. It is set to strengthen our region’s economy, create jobs, and pave the way for cutting-edge advancements in aerospace materials manufacturing. The AAMMC is one of six Tech Hubs selected to scale up production of technologies, create jobs, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness.
Funding for the AAMMC will establish a world-class, first-of-its kind testbed for advanced aerospace materials in the Inland Northwest. A partnership of industry and government engineers will advance high-rate manufacturing on equipment that is larger and more capable than any existing infrastructure for advanced composites manufacturing technologies.
“This is great news for the future of aerospace in our region,” said Alisha Benson, CEO of Greater Spokane Inc. “This technology development also opens up the capability for component parts to be used across a number of industries, which creates business investment, jobs, and positions us to build an innovation economy for the future.”
The Tech Hub fills an important need in the U.S. to create the technical capabilities to support local manufacturing here at home.
The Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region is positioned to meet the unprecedented global demand for equipping 40,000 new airplanes with lightweight aerospace parts that reduce carbon emissions. Within a few years, the Inland Northwest based AAMMC Tech Hub can have prototypes ready for testing and eventual high-rate production, enabling American suppliers to fulfill these orders and lessen our growing reliance on foreign technology and foreign manufacturing.
Greater Spokane Inc. is an AAMMC Consortium Member and is proud to stand with the more than 50 businesses and organizations working to grow the future of materials manufacturing. Congratulations to Lakeside Companies and Gonzaga University for your leadership in bringing this effort to our region. Thank you to the Coeur d’Alene Area EDC for your partnership. We look forward to continuing to work with you on workforce development and economic impact enhancements needed to support the success of the Tech Hub.
For more details, read the AAMMC and U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration press releases.
