Federal Announcements

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration is awarding a $3 million grant to the New River Regional Water Authority in Austinville, Virginia, for water infrastructure improvements needed to support local business growth and job creation. This grant will expand the existing water treatment facility to boost its capacity to support a new rubber products manufacturing plant and other business needs.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.7 million grant to the town of Oxford, Indiana, for water infrastructure upgrades to support manufacturing. This project will increase capacity and reliability of water service to meet the increased needs of a local pharmaceutical manufacturer, Oxford’s largest employer.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration is awarding a $700,000 grant to Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to purchase equipment for workforce training programs at the college’s Storm Lake Regional Center in Buena Vista County. This project will support technical training programs in advanced manufacturing and welding, electrical technologies, industrial mechanics and machining, and health sciences.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.6 million grant to the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, located in Marksville, Louisiana, for construction of a multi-enterprise manufacturing facility that will support the growth of the region’s manufacturing sector and create new jobs.

The Department of Defense (DOD) showcased more than 80 technologies critical to national defense during a demonstration event at the Pentagon. Hosted by the Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program, also known as DOD ManTech, the meet-and-greet event featured advanced manufacturing technologies from its nine Manufacturing Innovation Institutes and the Service ManTech Programs, including Navy, Air Force, Missile Defense Agency, and the Defense Logistics Agency.

The Department of Defense's Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy through its Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization Directorate, announced it has entered a $13.8 million agreement with The Timken Company (Timken) to increase production of high-precision ball bearings at its facility in Keene, New Hampshire. Timken's high precision ball-bearings are used in defense and space-related advanced systems.

The Department of Defense's Office for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy has entered into an agreement with Arconic Corporation to increase production of missiles and munitions. The purpose of the $45.5 million agreement with Arconic is to increase production of High Purity Aluminum (HPA) at its facility in Davenport, Iowa. The low-cost production of HPA by foreign smelters has resulted in decreased production of HPA in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration is awarding a $1 million grant to the city of Luling, Texas, to support business growth and job creation through infrastructure improvements at the city’s industrial park. This grant will provide roadway, water, and broadband improvements to support business expansion in aerospace manufacturing and other industries, including meat and poultry processing.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration is awarding a $500,000 grant to Ivy Tech Community College, Kokomo, Indiana, to help establish the Center of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing. This project will provide autonomous robots and other equipment needed to help the Center prepare trainees for in-demand positions at regional manufacturing firms.

The Department of Defense released its Biomanufacturing Strategy, a document that will guide research efforts, industry partnerships, and relationships with allies in a rapidly developing technology field with significant implications for national security and economic competitiveness.