Press
American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC)
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Please email [email protected] or fill out the form below to talk to a representative of the AAMMC EDA tech hub. For updates published by the hub, visit our updates page.
April 23rd, 2024
NONSTOP LOCAL KHQ
Bill Kalivas, a Google Cloud Sales Executive and Spokane native, said the tech scene in Spokane is growing.
“Tech is here, and I think as an economy, we need to embrace it,” Kalivas said.
He added that he moved back to the Lilac City because he not only loves what the region offers but saw an opportunity.
April 12th, 2024
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE
The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) is an aerospace technology hub established by the US government in October 2023. It is in the Spokane-Cœur d’Alène metropolitan area, on the border between the states of Washington and Idaho. AAMMC representatives at JEC World 2024 described the centre’s focus on advanced thermoplastic composites (TPC). It is developing solutions to scale up, lower costs and speed production of TPC components…
April 10th, 2024
CITY OF SPOKANE
On Wednesday, April 10th, Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown signed an Executive Order supporting the city’s economic development strategy around the newly designated American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) Tech Hub.
Mayor Brown introduced the executive order by explaining that the city is doubling down on it’s investment in economic development.
April 10th, 2024
COMPOSITES WORLD
“We believe advancing thermoplastic and advanced composites to industry faster in the U.S. is critical for supply chain competitiveness and our domestic manufacturing base. In addition, these materials offer far faster cycle times for producing lightweight, high-strength parts. Industry cannot meet the current projected demand for aircraft and reach net-zero emission goals without significantly reducing cycle times and per-part costs for composite parts”…
March 28th, 2024
GEEKWIRE
Good things are happening in Spokane. The governor traveled to Washington’s “Lilac City” to discuss the establishment of Spokane Tech Hub and to present the city’s elected leaders with an award for her administration’s proactive housing solutions. He also met with officials to discuss how investments from the Climate Commitment Act are making the city a healthier, more affordable place to live.
March 18th, 2024
WASHINGTON COMMERCE
The AAMMC was named a regional tech hub last fall – one of 31 hubs designated nationwide vying for up to $70 million from the US Economic Development Administration. The hub submitted its phase two application to EDA last month and will use the Commerce grant as a portion of required matching funds: $500,000 in matching funds to support the phase 2 application of the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center application for US EDA regional tech hub funding.
March 28th, 2024
GEEKWIRE
The potential of tech is really significant because it is part of everything else. It’s part of all the other clusters that we have worked to develop in Spokane. And I will say, as opposed to when I arrived here as a grad student in the 1980s, Spokane’s regional economy is much more diversified, but tech is a piece of all of it.
It’s a piece of our aerospace economy, and that is validated by the Tech Hub designation.
March 28th, 2024
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
The University has received a $500,000 grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce to support the second phase of an application for federal tech hub funding. As reported by the Journal of Business, the tech hub project spearheaded by Gonzaga is on a short list of projects competing for up to $70 million in federal funding. The state grant is among $3 million awarded statewide to organizations competing for federal dollars.
March 21st, 2024
WASHINGTON COMMERCE
The consortium, with guidance from Commerce, applied for a tech hub designation through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. The Biden-Harris administration announced the AAMMC as one of 31 inaugural Tech Hubs in the nation last fall. As the lead applicant for the consortium, Gonzaga submitted its phase two application to the EDA last month for up to $70 million in federal funding to make the proposed manufacturing test bed a reality.
February 16th, 2024
KREM 2
Greater Spokane Inc., Vice President of Economic Development Gary Ballew sat down to share his predictions. One hotspot he’s predicting comes with the U.S. Department of Commerce choosing to make the Spokane area a regional technology hub. While the hub will be physically located in the West Plains area, Ballew says it’ll have a wider impact: “Our intent is that tech hub, one, helps companies grow, helps aerospace in the United States, but also helps the region grow and develop.”
February 3rd, 2024
SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL
In October 2023, the Spokane American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center was designated as a U.S. Tech Hub by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) through the Regional Technology Hub program established by Sen. Cantwell’s CHIPS & Science Act. The designation recognizes the Inland Northwest as a hub for aerospace suppliers, private investment, new products, and companies in the U.S. aerospace supply chain.
January 31st, 2024
GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE
Good things are happening in Spokane. The governor traveled to Washington’s “Lilac City” to discuss the establishment of Spokane Tech Hub and to present the city’s elected leaders with an award for her administration’s proactive housing solutions. He also met with officials to discuss how investments from the Climate Commitment Act are making the city a healthier, more affordable place to live.
January 15th, 2024
NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS MAGAZINE
The broad goal is to build up the regional aerospace manufacturing workforce. New opportunities exist for increased partnerships between consortium members. The federal government has spurred on regions across the U.S. to increase job opportunities and training in each region. The Pacific Northwest, specifically the I-90 Aerospace Corridor region, has exhibited strength in numbers for some time. Now, it is time to continue to build the spotlight on the region and solidify an already $70 billion industry.
December 28, 2023
SPOKANE JOURNAL OF BUSINESS
Economically, the year 2023 was better than expected in many regards, as job growth continued and a projected recession never came to pass.
In the Inland Northwest, the year was characterized by the start of some major projects and the completion of others. It also was marked by the passing of some business legends and separately, a new era of leadership in many organizations. And as promising young companies garnered funding and promised growth, some familiar names decided to close their doors.
December 14th, 2023
NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS LIVE
In this episode, we talk with Maria Lusardi of Lakeside Companies, and David Leach of ATC Manufacturing about the 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 is an opportunity for the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region and they share about the partners and process.
November 1st, 2023
CDA PRESS
North Idaho is one of the safest, cleanest, best places to live. It’s the kind of place that visitors from around the world often dare dream, “Man, I sure would love to live here.” Last week’s announced federal designation of the Coeur d’Alene-Spokane region as one of just 31 U.S. Tech Hubs very well could go a long way in making many of those dreams come true. Consider that 400 applications were winnowed to 31 winners.
November 30, 2023
ECONOMIC INNOVATION GROUP
As the first phase of the Tech Hubs program, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the designation of 31 regional technology hubs. Designation confers prestige and signaling power, but most concretely it grants access to a second round of competition for five to 10 implementation grants of between $40 to $75 million each from a total pot of nearly $500 million.
November 28, 2023
NORTH IDAHO BUSINESS JOURNAL
The Coeur d’Alene Area Economic Development Corp is proud of its work building up the I-90 Aerospace Conference and Expo. The expo has become an annual means to bring together manufacturers and agencies across Central and Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Montana. Aerospace, space, medical, energy and industrial equipment are the primary industries that make up the Northwest I-90 Manufacturing Alliance.
November 6th, 2023
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Posts Designee Narratives for 31 Chosen Tech Hubs
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.
Read ours here.
November 22, 2023
JEC GROUP
The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced that the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub in Spokane, Washington, was designated as one of the 31 inaugural Tech Hubs in regions across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors.
November 6, 2023
LYNNWOOD TIMES
United States Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announed that Spokane-based American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center has been designated as the U.S. tech hub for aerospace materials manufacturing.
The designation was made by the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).
October 25th, 2024
SENATORS CRAPO & RISCH
U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho) today commended the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center on its Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) designation. The Inland Northwest’s American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center has been selected as a Tech Hub as a result of Risch’s legislation, the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act.
October 25, 2023
COMPOSITES WORLD
The Spokane-Coeur d’Alene region in Idaho 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), a composite aerostructures facility, 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.
By: Grace Nehls
October 25, 2023
SPOKANE PUBLIC RADIO
Inland Northwest project named tech hub by federal government
The federal government is recognizing an Inland Northwest manufacturing consortium as an official technology hub eligible for millions of dollars in funding. The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center proposes to convert an unused aerospace facility on the West Plains.
Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh, whose institution leads the consortium, says the project is now in the running for $50-70 million CHIPS and Science Act grants.
October 25, 2023
PUGET SOUND BUSINESS JOURNAL
A former aerospace composites production facility in Spokane was named a tech hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce Monday, earning eligibility to access to a pool of federal funds earmarked to bolster the nation’s manufacturing base.
By: Marissa Nall
The proposal was one of 31 selected across the U.S. to participate in the Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs program.
October 24, 2023
THE SEATTLE TIMES
Spokane took another step Monday toward an ambitious multimillion dollar initiative to develop new aerospace industry manufacturing technology and become a leading supplier for carbon composite parts.
The Biden Administration announced Spokane is among 31 sites across the nation selected from a pool of about 200 attempting to tap into federal funds.
October 24, 2023
THE REGISTRY
OLYMPIA, WA — The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center located in Spokane, WA today was designated one the 31 inaugural Tech Hubs across the nation by the Biden-Harris administration through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The Tech Hubs Program aims to strengthen U.S. economic and national security by investing in regions across the country….
October 23, 2023
AAMMC
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.
The AAMMC Aerospace Tech Hub was chosen by the U.S. Department of Commerce from nearly 400 applications nationwide.
October 23, 2023
SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL
A pivotal win for region’s economy spearheaded by nearly 50 area businesses, universities, Tribes, and labor unions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that Spokane-based American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center has been designated as the U.S. tech hub for aerospace materials manufacturing.
October 23, 2023
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Biden-Harris Administration Designates 31 Tech Hubs Across America
As part of the President’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Commerce identifies regional centers primed for technological innovation and job creation.
WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced the designation of 31 Tech Hubs in regions across the country. This is the first phase of the new Tech Hubs program,
October 23, 2023
SENATOR PAT MURRAY
“Washington state has a proud history of being a global leader in aerospace technology—and this Tech Hub designation will give a major boost to aviation innovation and workforce development in Spokane and across our state,” said Senator Murray. “I was glad to support Gonzaga and its partners in their application for Tech Hub status and am thrilled that resources I secured to get this new CHIPS and Science Act program off the ground are going to spur innovation, improve our national security, and create jobs in Washington state.
October 23, 2023
WASHINGTON STATE STANDARD
WA aerospace and wood sectors up for major infusions of federal cash
Washington is among the states the Biden administration selected for a new program meant to expand innovative industries into new regions. Washington will be part of two regional hubs, one with Idaho for aerospace materials manufacturing and one with Oregon focused on new types of wood products.
October 23, 2023
SPOKANE JOURNAL OF BUSINESS
Spokane’s proposed aerospace center named ‘tech hub’
By Linn Parish
A proposed advanced aerospace manufacturing center in Spokane has received a federal designation as a “regional technology and innovation hub,” enabling advocates to pursue up to $70 million in federal funding for the project.
October 23, 2023
KREM2
SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray announced that Spokane-based American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center has been designated as the U.S. tech hub for aerospace materials manufacturing. The designation was made by the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).
October 23, 2023
GONZAGA UNIVERSITY
Gonzaga Announces Designation Award to Inland Northwest Consortium
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has designated the Inland Northwest Consortium led by Gonzaga University as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub, a critical first step toward the establishment of the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) designed to expedite the evolution and commercialization of the domestic aerospace supply chain for the next generation of aviation composite materials.
October 23, 2023
THE WHITE HOUSE
Biden-Harris Administration Announces 31 Regional Tech Hubs to Spur American Innovation, Strengthen Manufacturing, and Create Good-Paying Jobs in Every Region of the Country
Today, President Biden and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo will announce the designation of 31 communities across the country as Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs (Tech Hubs) through the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration.
October 20, 2023
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Interview with Eric Smith, Regional Tech Hubs Program Director: ‘Our goal is to enable the Tech Hubs that we designate and fund to capture more of their focus industry’s market share globally. These investments inject regions with an extra boost to generate more innovation, more services, more products, and more sales in a particular technology area.’
October 11th, 2023
CDA PRESS
Flywheel of Energy
A local effort to create an aerospace tech hub in the region is facing strong competition. The proposal for the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center is among more than 100 applications. A decision on whether it advances to the second phase is expected within the next few months.
September 14, 2023
SPOKANE JOURNAL OF BUSINESS
Tech Hub Hopes: Two Spokane groups compete on national scale for federal funds
Gonzaga consortium looks to bolster aerospace manufacturing; WSU group pitches biotech.
By: Dylan Harris
Two Spokane-area consortia are competing against more than 370 other groups nationwide to land federal funding for regional Tech Hubs.
August 28, 2023
JEC WORLD
Application for Inland Northwest Aerospace Regional Tech Hub
ATC Manufacturing, Aerospace leaders, universities and more apply to build an Aerospace Tech Hub in the Inland Northwest. The AAMMC will establish a world-class testbed for production, commercialization, and entrepreneurship.
August 23, 2023
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS
Tech Hub | Many Benefits for Region
Never has it been more important for the U.S. to rebuild our domestic supply chains. Yet, American aerospace suppliers continue to be bought by international companies or go out of business. Idaho is lucky to have senators who support American businesses and jobs, protect domestic manufacturers, and protect our economic and national security.
August 22, 2022
SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL
We're Calling on Spokane for EDA Tech Hubs
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined leaders from Spokane’s biosciences and aerospace industries, higher education, and state government at precision manufacturer Altek, Inc. to tout the major investment opportunities coming to the Spokane area in the recently-passed $250 billion CHIPS & Science Act and EDA Regional Tech Hubs.
August 21, 2023
SAMPE
Application for Inland Northwest Tech Hub
Post Falls, ID – Leading aerospace companies and research universities have joined nearly 50 area workforce training, venture capital, economic development, labor, tribal and government groups in the Inland Northwest to support establishing the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC).
August 18, 2023
COMPOSITES WORLD
Inland Northwest Consortium Files Application for Aerospace Composites Center
Nearly 50 aerospace leaders and research universities have filed an application with the EDA for federal designation and Phase 1 funding to create a composite aerostructures Tech Hub, the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center.
Edited by: Grace Nehls
August 18, 2023
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS
'A Game Changer'
The former Triumph facility by the Spokane International Airport could house the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center.
By: Bill Bully
When Linda Coppess first heard a proposal to establish the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center in the region, she was all in.
August 18, 2023
LATINO CIVIC ALLIANCE
LATINO CIVIC ALLIANCE: Universities & More Apply to Establish Tech Hub
The former Triumph facility by the Spokane International Airport could house the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center.
By: Bill Bully
When Linda Coppess first heard a proposal to establish the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center in the region, she was all in.
August 18, 2023
THE STAND
An EDA Tech Hub in Spokane
A bid to build an aerospace composites manufacturing center in Washington state is officially underway, having garnered sponsorship from top aerospace employers including Boeing, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Blue Origin. It would be built with assistance from the federal Tech Hubs program, which was created by the 2022 Chips and Science Act and has a $10 billion budget over the next five years.
GONZAGA UNIVERSITY
Gonzaga Announces Aerospace EDA Regional Tech Hub Application
The future of aviation and aerospace is the development of advanced composite materials to create aircraft that are lighter and more fuel efficient at reduced cost. The question is, how will Washington continue to be competitive in this new arena in the face of fierce global competition? The answer: a consortium of like-minded organizations committed to creating the world’s most advanced Tech Hub, situated in the Inland Northwest.
SPOKANE JOURNAL OF BUSINESS
Aerospace Tech Hub Proposed at Old Triumph Plant
Gonzaga-led consortium includes Boeing, Avista, dozens of others.
By: Dylan Harris
A Gonzaga University-led consortium of about 50 organizations has applied to bring a federally funded aerospace manufacturing EDA tech hub to the Inland Northwest.
August 17, 2023
NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE
Announces Tech Hub
The former Triumph facility would house the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center. Leading aerospace companies and research universities have joined nearly 50 area workforce training, venture capital, economic development, labor, tribal and government groups in the Inland Northwest to support establishing the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC).
August 17, 2023
HYPE AVIATION
Aerospace Regional Tech Hub Proposed
A consortium of approximately 50 organizations, led by Gonzaga University, has submitted a proposal to establish an aerospace manufacturing tech hub at the old Triumph plant in Spokane, Washington. This initiative seeks to secure federal funding for expanding the aerospace technology footprint in the Inland Northwest.
THE SPOKESMAN REVIEW
Aerospace Manufacturing Center Eyed for Airway Heights
The former Triumph Composites System facility would house the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center. (Gonzaga University).
By: Tod Stephens
Fifty organizations from the Pacific Northwest have banded together in hopes of creating a globally competitive aerospace and aviation manufacturing facility in Airway Heights.
August 17, 2023
COMPSMAGAZINE
Spokane's Bold Proposal for an Aerospace Tech Hub
According to an inside source, a consortium led by Gonzaga University and consisting of approximately 50 organizations has applied to establish an aerospace manufacturing technology center in the Inland Northwest. If successful, this facility would be located in the former Triumph Composite Systems Inc. building in West Spokane.
PUGET SOUND BUSINESS JOURNAL
Aerospace Consortium Backs Proposal for Federal Tech Hub in Spokane
A consortium of aerospace companies submitted a proposal this week for federal dollars to help build the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center on the site of the former Triumph Composites System facility in Spokane.
By: Marissa Nall
The proposal involves redeveloping a 386,000-square-foot former manufacturing facility to serve as a research testbed and workforce training facility.
LAKESIDE COMPANIES
Lakeside Companies Announces Tech Hub
Tech Hub Will Establish a World-Class Testbed for Production, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship in the Inland Northwest through the CHIPS and Science Act. Leading aerospace companies and research universities have joined nearly 50 area workforce training, venture capital, economic development, labor, tribal and government groups in the Inland Northwest to support establishing the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) TechHub application.
July 5th, 2023
GEEKWIRE
Seattle-area Space Summit features NASA Leader and Hints at New Manufacturing Institute
Sen. Maria Cantwell and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson met Wednesday at the Washington State Space Summit to hash out what’s needed to grow and strengthen the Pacific Northwest’s aerospace industry — including a potential new manufacturing institute.
April 10th, 2024
April 10th, 2024
