America Makes Gets $3M Grant for PPE Prototype
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The America Makes manufacturing hub is getting a $3 million federal grant to develop an additive manufacturing prototype for N95-level face masks.
The grant, from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, was announced separately Wednesday by the offices of U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.
These funds were made possible by the American Rescue Plan, which Brown helped write and pass, his office said.
“Ohio has a proud history of leading the country in manufacturing innovation,” Brown said in a satement. “Because of the American Rescue Plan, we are building on that legacy by making new investments in manufacturing hubs like ‘America Makes’ in Ohio. We know the Valley has some of the best manufacturing talent in the country – and with investments like this, Ohio is burying the term ‘Rust Belt’ by leading the next generation of U.S. economic growth and manufacturing, and putting people to work at good-paying jobs.”
America Makes Executive Director John Wilczynski said that the money would be used to accelerate the use of 3D printing, and thus help alleviate some of the supply-chain issues confronting the country as a result of the pandemic.
“We are honored to receive $3 million from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to help further develop technology that can be deployed for point of need production,” Wilczynski said. “America Makes and the additive community in Ohio, and nationally, work every day to further develop additive technology to meet the high priority needs of the U.S. economy. This work will tie closely to the work done over the last 24 months to show additive manufacturing as a viable supply chain solution in a time of crisis, and help the United State achieve supply chain resiliency.”
Youngstown’s America Makes was the country’s first manufacturing and innovation hub established under President Barack Obama in 2012.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
