(York, PA) – On August 16, 2023, A consortia of organizations led by the Manufacturers’ Association, was invited to apply for grant assistance under the $30 million Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program following a competitive selection process.  The consortia, the Central PA Shipbuilding Talent and Innovation Defense Ecosystem (T.I.D.E) project was one of only six projects selected nationally to apply for grant funds after a proposal was submitted in late June.   The five-year grant will make long term investments in critical skills, facilities, workforce development, research and development, and small business support to strengthen the national security innovation base.  According to the US Navy, Pennsylvania is home to the largest number of critical shipbuilding suppliers in the nation, making it a key region in supporting the country’s national defense.

The consortia will support the U.S. Navy’s national security goal of increasing production of the submarine fleet by supporting a sustainable pipeline of skilled manufacturing talent and increasing adoption of automation technology by the submarine industrial base. Specifically, the project will focus on increasing the talent pool for critical defense occupations in machinist pathways, welding and industrial maintenance which are in short supply.   Led by the Manufacturers’ Association, located in central PA, the project partners also include the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Innovation Institute, MANTEC, Inc., Innovative Manufacturers Center, FANUC America, Partnership of Career Development, York County Alliance for Learning, and the York County Economic Alliance.  Educational partners include the County Career and Tech High Schools (Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Mifflin, Lancaster, Lebanon, York), Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and Harrisburg Area Community College.    Additional supporting partners also included the regional defense sector employers, Southcentral PA Industry Partnership, Lancaster County Workforce Development Board, SCPa Works, and the local defense community partners of Cumberland County Area Economic Development Corporation, and the Franklin County Economic Development Corporation, and Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corporation.

The US Department of Defense program is authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act, which enabled the Secretary of Defense to establish a program to designate and support consortiums as defense manufacturing communities to strengthen the national security industrial base. The funding and technical assistance provided through the program enhances a region's ability to narrow gaps and address needs in defense manufacturing in the critical skills, facilities, research and development, and small business support.  An invitation to apply for a grant must be reviewed by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation prior to an actual award being issued and funds obligated.

To learn more about the Defense Manufacturing Community Support program, contact the Manufacturers’ Association at office@mascpa.org or go to the US DoD Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation list of grant invitations here.

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The Manufacturers' Association is on a mission to ensure that our region’s manufacturing sector not only survives but rebounds stronger than ever! We exist to ensure that critical knowledge is preserved, expanded, and shared with the manufacturing professionals of tomorrow. Founded in 1906, we are the voice of the industry for hundreds of member & non-member organizations in southcentral PA & northern MD. We support manufacturers with the knowledge they need to operate, hire & train smarter!

Visit our website at www.mascpa.org