UAA awarded $150,000 grant from NIST to expand state's manufacturing industry

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, recently awarded a $150,000 grant to the University of Alaska Anchorage to support efforts to assess the technical needs of small and mid-sized manufacturers in Alaska.

The funds will be used to conduct an in-depth, hands-on assessment looking at the viability of a Manufacturing Extension Partnership in Alaska, which would provide services for manufacturing firms to enhance their productivity, innovative capacity and technological performance-ultimately strengthening Alaska's and America's global competitiveness.

The University of Alaska Center for Economic Development (UACED) will lead the project, in partnership with World Trade Center Alaska, Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation, Juneau Economic Development Council and Green Star Inc. UACED is an Economic Development Administration-funded organization with more than 20 years of experience fostering the growth of Alaska's economy. The project will begin in March and last about six months.

"For years, we have been looking at ways to support Alaska's manufacturing industry," says UACED Executive Director Christi Bell, "and this grant award will significantly aid these efforts. We are excited to have the opportunity to engage UAA and the UA system in this way and to kick off a stronger relationship with NIST to expand our state's manufacturing sector."

For more information, contact:

UA Center for Economic Development Samuel Callen, (907) 786-5463, scallen3@uaa.alaska.edu

National Institute of Standards and Technology Jennifer Huergo, (301) 975-6343, jennifer.huergo@nist.gov

Manufacturers interested in participating in the study may contact Nolan Klouda at (907) 786-5458 or nfklouda@uaa.alaska.edu.

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