The Innovative Manufacturers Center (IMC), a collaboration between public and private sectors designed to assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in Central Pennsylvania, has received two grants to promote technological adoption and green energy manufacturing within the area. As stated in a news announcement, IMC will act as a subrecipient for the U.S. Department of […]
The Innovative Manufacturers Center (IMC), a collaboration between public and private sectors designed to assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in Central Pennsylvania, has received two grants to promote technological adoption and green energy manufacturing within the area.
As stated in a news announcement, IMC will act as a subrecipient for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) SMART-PA initiative and the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) fund. These initiatives will deliver essential resources aimed at enabling SMMs across the 12-county Central PA area to boost productivity, enhance competitiveness, and facilitate the shift to clean energy.
The SMART-PA initiative encourages SMMs to integrate SMART manufacturing technologies to boost efficiency, lower costs, and draw in skilled labor. Through this program, manufacturers in Central PA can access:
• Technology Assessments: Discover potential areas for productivity improvements.
• Technical Assistance: Help with the implementation of advanced manufacturing practices.
• Mini-Grants: Financial support for technology integration.
• Educational Events & Networking: Opportunities for workshops, training, and peer engagement.
These resources will enable manufacturers to tackle significant challenges such as workforce shortages, inefficiencies from manual processes, high scrap levels, and excessive machine downtime, as mentioned in the news announcement.
IMC’s involvement in ARC’s ARISE fund will concentrate on aiding manufacturers in branching out into green technology and clean energy markets. This initiative will offer:
• Training & Technical Assistance: Direction for workforce development and technology integration.
• Supply Chain Mapping: Insights related to opportunities in the green energy supply chain.
• Factory Upgrades: Assistance in modifying facilities to produce renewable energy components, hydrogen generation systems, smart grid technologies, electric vehicles, and other green advancements.
Manufacturers in Central PA eager to improve their operations and engage in the expanding green energy market should reach out to IMC at info@imcpa.com or 570-329-3200 for assistance, resources, and information on qualification for these grant opportunities, according to the news announcement.
Established in 1988, the Innovative Manufacturers’ Center aids in linking manufacturers across 12 Pennsylvania counties with the most effective regional, state, and national resources to foster innovation, growth, and success. IMC is backed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development’s Industrial Resource Center program. IMC serves the counties of Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Union, Snyder, Clinton, Centre, Mifflin, Juniata, Huntington, Blair, and Bedford.
