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The leaders of Spokane’s American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center Tech Hub have selected a 386,000-square-foot facility as its HQ. (ATC Manufacturing Photo)
After missing out on federal funding awarded in July, Spokane’s Tech Hub for developing advanced aerospace has landed $48 million to launch the Eastern Washington effort. The money is coming from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Tech Hubs program.
The hub is billed as a first-of-its-kind testbed facility for the U.S. and will focus on developing and manufacturing advanced thermoplastic materials for aircraft. The composite materials can replace metal components and are considered more versatile and environmentally sustainable than the thermoset composites often used for aerospace applications.
“The country that figures out how to use advanced materials to increase manufacturing capacity and aircraft fuel efficiency is going to have a huge competitive advantage,” said U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., in a statement.
“These investments are critical as we work to ensure Washington state continues to lead the way in aerospace innovation and jobs,” added U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
The Spokane-based American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center is one of 31 consortiums that in 2023 won a Tech Hub designation as part of the Biden administration’s effort to fire up engines of innovation in places that are typically off the beaten tech track.
A group of nearly 50 organizations in the Spokane area initially had applied for and did not receive a $72 million grant to set up a testbed for materials research and pilot manufacturing at a 386,000-square-foot facility near the city’s airport.
The consortium’s industry partners had pledged $8 million in matching funds to support the testbed, and members also committed themselves to making $70 million in in-kind contributions.
“We have been confident from the beginning that the Spokane-North Idaho Tech Hub holds tremendous potential for the development of advanced technologies, manufacturing, and production that will help meet critical demand for aerospace components,” said Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh, who added that supporters would be seeking additional funding to pay for education and workforce development.
