SPOKANE, Wash. — $48 million in federal funding is coming to Spokane to help create the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC).
According to Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), this center will serve as a testbed facility for developing thermoplastic materials that will replace metal in aircraft. It will focus on developing this material for large defense and commercial aircraft and spacecraft, which can make the crafts more fuel-efficient, rapidly produced, and recyclable.
According to the website for AAMMC, this facility is expected to repurpose a former manufacturing facility near Spokane International Airport.
“This is great news for Spokane and all of Eastern Washington,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). “These investments are critical as we work to ensure Washington state continues to lead the way in aerospace innovation and jobs.”
AAMMC said Spokane is the ideal location for this facility since hundreds of aerospace suppliers already exist within the Pacific Northwest, with many of the key composite suppliers located in the greater Spokane area.
The Spokane AAMMC was declared a federally designated Tech Hub in 2023. Sen. Cantwell said over 50 organizations worked together on this Tech Hub, including Gonzaga University, the International Association of Machinists District 751 and Advanced Thermoplastics Composites.
This hub is also expected to provide hands-on workforce training with regional institutions like North Idaho College and Community Colleges of Spokane to create career pathways in advanced manufacturing.
“Advanced materials are critical to the future of aerospace manufacturing, and this funding for the Spokane Technology Hub will help ensure the Pacific Northwest remains an industry leader in innovation, workforce development, and job creation,” said a spokesperson at Boeing.
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