What’s Next for Spokane’s Aerospace Tech Hub?
Last year, the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center in Spokane was designated one of the nation's 31 inaugural Tech Hubs by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The area was identified as a regional center ready for technological innovation and job creation as part of the current administration’s Investing in America agenda, and falls under the theme of “Growing the Future of Materials Manufacturing.”
The designation is an impressive achievement and another step towards the goal of winning a phase 2 grant from EDA. With applications submitted February 29th, EDA will next select 5-10 winners to receive between $40 million and $70 million, with an announcement expected this summer.
The intention is to create a testing center that will accelerate the adoption of advanced materials on aircraft while identifying manufacturing techniques for next-generation aerospace materials and parts. The designation and planning are part of larger strategic national goals to re-shore and upscale manufacturing technologies that will support the domestic aircraft supply chain, critical for ensuring the United States’ role as the world’s top aerospace component supplier.
According to their website, the Hub will “unite education, workforce training, small and medium-sized industry partners, global aerospace leaders, and advanced research institutions” through collaboration, expanding knowledge and expertise in advanced aerospace materials. The Hub is not just focused on Spokane, crossing the border via the I-90 corridor to tap Coeur D’Alene’s growing aerospace sector.
The Tech Hub’s project goals include:
Establishing a testbed facility for large thermoplastic composite aerospace materials.
Advancing market-disrupting, high-rate production solutions for next-gen composite aero structures.
Expediting net-zero carbon emission goals by 2050.
Upskilling the current workforce in coordination with Tribal Nations and workforce leaders, focusing on underrepresented communities.
Centering the Inland Northwest as a hub for aerospace suppliers, private investment, new products, and companies.
The 31 Tech Hubs were authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law in 2022. Out of nearly 400 applicants, the submission led by Gonzaga University galvanized 50 public and private partners that included industry leaders like Boeing and Blue Origin, higher education including the Community Colleges of Spokane, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, and labor partners including IAM and the Machinists Institute.