Virginia advanced manufacturing tech hub to receive $24.8 million federal grant

The U.S. Economic Development Administration intends to award Virginia's Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Tech Hub about $24.8 million to grow the region's advanced manufacturing workforce, Virginia Business reported on Oct. 29.

The EDA, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced the award on Monday. According to the agency, the money is earmarked for an advanced manufacturing certification program and for equipment to help optimize manufacturing processes. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a statement that the grant "delivers in Southern and Southwest Virginia."

The tech hub, known as AM2, is a consortium of industry, government, higher education and economic development leaders from the New River Valley, Southern Virginia, the Roanoke Valley and Lynchburg. Launched in 2023, it has more than 65 partners, including Lynchburg-based BWX Technologies and Christiansburg's Meld Manufacturing.

Kevin Byrd, executive director of the New River Valley Regional Commission, said in a Virginia Tech release that manufacturers and partners have spent several years helping identify gaps, and that the investment is a chance "to turn that planning into action."

The funding will support three projects, according to Virginia Business and a release from U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem:

AM2 Studios, led by the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, will receive about $16.97 million to equip test beds for designing, prototyping and testing products with additive manufacturing. The work will take place at Virginia Tech and at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville. John Provo, executive director of Virginia Tech's Center for Economic and Community Engagement, said faculty will be available to help companies adopt the new technologies.

An IALR-led workforce effort, working with the Virginia Manufacturers Association's Manufacturing Skills Institute and the AM2 Career Network, will receive about $4.4 million to create a nationally recognized additive manufacturing credential and train 2,000 workers through apprenticeship programs. IALR President Telly Tucker said connecting students with manufacturers can help companies while preparing students for careers.

The New River Valley Regional Commission will receive about $3.41 million to connect with manufacturers, recruit industry to the region and run an innovation grants competition to help companies adopt additive manufacturing.

"This puts the toolbox in everybody's reach," Provo said, adding that a company in South Boston could tap partners and technical assets elsewhere in the footprint.

The grant comes from the EDA's Disaster Supplemental Grant Program and was awarded in response to Hurricane Helene, which damaged parts of Virginia in September 2024. U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner said in a joint statement that the funding will help workers gain skills and help local manufacturers grow.

AM2 previously received a $500,000 EDA strategy development grant in 2023 and $100,000 from GO Virginia that year. In April, Virginia Tech announced a $4.2 million GO Virginia grant for AM2, backed by more than $2 million in regional matching funds. According to Virginia Tech, the region has about 1,200 manufacturers employing about 60,000 people.

Griffith also pointed to Meld PrintWorks' recently announced plan to build a 12,000-square-foot additive manufacturing facility in Christiansburg's Falling Branch Corporate Park as a sign the region can attract more industry.

Source: Virginia Business, https://virginiabusiness.com/24-8-million-eda-virginia-advanced-manufacturing-tech-hub/