American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center
The AAMMC Tech Hub would establish a world-class testbed for advancing high-rate manufacturing techniques for next generation aerospace materials and parts.
This tech hub will be located in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region, and is critical to advancing U.S. economic and national security by onshoring and upscaling manufacturing technologies that support our domestic aircraft supply chain.
Global demand for advanced aerospace composites is surging, with Europe and Asia ahead of the U.S. in research, development, and manufacturing. The center is crucial for the U.S. to regain its position as the world’s top aerospace component supplier.
Spokane Tech Hub Project Goals
The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center will unite education, workforce training, small and medium-sized industry partners, global aerospace leaders, and advanced research institutions. This collaboration will expand knowledge and expertise in advanced composite materials.
AAMMC will accelerate growth of our domestic supply base by:
ESTABLISHING
a testbed facility for large thermoplastic composite (TPC) aerospace materials at Technology Readiness Levels 6-9.
ADVANCING
market-disrupting, high-rate production solutions for next-gen composite aero structures.
EXPEDITING
net-zero carbon emission goals by 2050 for NASA and the aerospace industry.
UPSKILLING
our current workforce in coordination with Tribal Nations and workforce leaders in both Washington and Idaho, focusing on underrepresented communities.
CENTERING
the Inland Northwest as a hub for aerospace suppliers, private investment, new products, and companies in the U.S. aerospace supply chain.
Consortium Members
In August 2023, a consortium of nearly 50 members from the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene region applied to establish the Spokane aerospace tech hub under the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs Program by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). This consortium includes:
A Perfectly Positioned Region
Spokane-Coeur d’Alene Aerospace Corridor
The Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region, at the heart of the I-90 aerospace corridor, boasts 900 aerospace manufacturers within 300 miles, the Spokane International Airport, and a highly educated local population. The cross-state collaboration among consortium members and industry support showcases the region’s readiness for the hub.
Competition Timeline
The two-phase Technology Hubs awards are decided by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in coordination with the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the U.S. Department of Commerce CHIPS and Science Act.
Selection is based on: potential of the region for global competitiveness; participation of industry; equity and inclusion; capacity of workforce; “lab to market” products; and overall impact on American economic and national security.
CHIPS and Science Act passed, which designated the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs Program.
Senator Maria Cantwell calls on the Spokane area to participate in CHIPS and Science Act funding opportunities to strengthen manufacturing in aerospace and other sectors.
Congress appropriated $500 million for fiscal year 2023 to be used by the EDA to accelerate economic development through the program.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Regional Tech Hubs Program was announced, with deadline for phase one.
The application for The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center Tech Hub was submitted by the Spokane- Coeur d’Alene Consortium.
Designation and grant recipients from Phase One will be announced, and the opportunity for Phase two funding will be outlined.
Latest News & Updates
Read Our Successful Phase One Application
The E.D.A. has posted Phase 1 narratives – the five page applications that winning hub submitted to the EDA. These narratives are the pitch that the hubs presented to the E.D.A. on why each hub is critical, what technologies the hub will drive forward, and outlines a vision of how the hubs would bring regional resources together. Read our successful submission.
President Biden Discusses Regional Technology Hub Announcements
Watch the President give a speech on the newly announced Regional Tech Hubs, the administrations investment in the program, and the significance of the development of these hubs for American manufacturing.
Spokane-Coeur d’Alene Chosen as Regional Technology Hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce
The Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region has officially been designated as a Regional Technology Hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) is now one of approximately 20 Hubs nationwide eligible to compete for Phase 2 of the CHIPS Regional Innovation Hub grants of $50-$75 million.
