Local tech hub misses out on funding

The proposed American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub in the Inland Northwest was not among 12 tech hubs that advanced to the next funding round, the Biden Administration announced Tuesday.

"We knew when we began working on this grant that we’d be competing with much larger regions for limited spaces. We’re proud to have made it to the last 31 potential hubs out of 400 applicants," said North Idaho College President Nick Swayne.

He said the process ignited good conversations about the manufacturing needs of the region and identified new partnerships to meet those needs.

"I believe some tangible good work will come out of these efforts that might be an even better fit for North Idaho," Swayne said.

Others involved with the application process were pleased when the Department of Commerce said that Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo will visit the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub in Spokane.

"We're interpreting what we heard today as not a no, but more of a 'not yet,'" said Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh, a leader of a local consortium that formed to support the center's creation.

He said those behind the local tech hub are convinced it will be successful.

"We're not giving up yet," McCulloh said.

The center would combine applied education research, workforce training and advanced production, principally located in a 386,000-square-foot repurposed manufacturing facility near Spokane International Airport. Backers believe it could create thousands of skilled, high-paying jobs.

A regional partnership of organizations from Washington and Idaho put together a proposal last year for the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

North Idaho members of the consortium included the cities of Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls, North Idaho College, the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber, the Coeur d’Alene Economic Development Corp. and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

The Tech Hubs Program is an initiative of the Biden Administration to invest in and grow the economies in communities across the country, "advancing America’s global leadership in critical technologies, and strengthening our national and economic security," a press release said.

President Joe Biden gave an initial nod of support in October to the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center and 30 others. The local entry, among roughly 400 applications, received the U.S. Tech Hubs designation but not a grant to go with it.

On Tuesday, the Biden Administration announced another funding round of $504 million in implementation grants to 12 tech hubs. Most grants were around $50 million. Tech hubs that advanced included Montana, Nevada, Colorado, Ohio, Florida, Oklahoma and New York.

The Inland Northwest Tech Hub issued a statement Tuesday after learning it failed to advance.

"No region is better equipped than ours 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 Tech Hub can have prototypes ready for high-rate production, enabling thousands of new domestic manufacturing jobs to lessen our growing reliance on foreign technology and foreign labor," it said.

Linda Coppess, Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber president and CEO, said while they were disappointed, "this does not diminish the fact that our region is a recognized leader in aerospace. We are resilient, and our community is driven by a strong will to create new American jobs, strengthen our national security and reduce our reliance on foreign technology and labor. The great people of our region have always found innovative ways to overcome challenges, and we will continue to do so."

Castillo will travel with a team to meet with leadership and provide technical assistance on their strategy in the defense and aerospace markets.

“The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub in Washington State embodies the spirit and potential of the Tech Hubs program to take centers of excellence and make them world-class tech ecosystems through targeted investments,” said Secretary Gina Raimondo.  

McCulloh said with support from the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA, and the region’s elected representatives, the vision and plans for the AAMMC Tech Hub consortium will continue to serve the region as additional investment opportunities are pursued. 

"This collaboration will expand knowledge and expertise in advanced composite materials and establish the Inland Northwest as a hub for aerospace suppliers, private investment, new products and companies in the U.S. aerospace supply chain," McCulloh said.