$4.2 million grant strengthens region’s advanced manufacturing future

A $4.2 million investment from GO Virginia, matched by more than $2 million in regional support, will help Southwest and Southern Virginia create jobs, connect more students to manufacturing careers, and build on the region’s growing strength in advanced manufacturing.

Led by the New River Valley Regional Commission and supported by Virginia Tech and partners across GO Virginia Regions 2 and 3, the initiative is expected to create 100 jobs in its first two years and help develop a workforce pipeline to manufacturing and technology careers.

The project focuses on additive manufacturing and advanced materials, or AM2, a fast-evolving field with applications in industries such as aerospace and energy. It will help companies test new technologies and processes, shorten the path from idea to production, and connect employers with a stronger pipeline of talent.

The investment builds on years of regional planning, growing regional industry and economic development partnerships, Virginia Tech’s leadership in AM2 research, including Virginia Tech Made: The Center for Advanced Manufacturing and related university infrastructure.

“GO Virginia has been a terrific partner by championing and investing in our most promising opportunities in the New River Valley. Its support is advancing what we do as a region,” said Kevin Byrd, executive director of the New River Valley Regional Commission. “Over the next several years, we’re excited to see the number of AM2-made products grow as we streamline adoption of these technologies and lead the nation in developing a skilled workforce.”

Accelerating innovation

At the center of the effort are new AM2 Innovation Studios, where companies will have access to tools, expertise, and facilities to design, refine, and test products and processes.

At Virginia Tech, existing labs and machinery at the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science’s Matter Labs will support small-scale testing. That work will help companies prove concepts earlier and reduce uncertainty before moving toward production. A second site at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville will focus on production-scale testing in real-world conditions.

The initiative will also place AM2 Innovation Fellows in regional manufacturing companies to help speed the adoption of advanced technologies and move products to market more quickly. Led by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Innovation Alliance, Virginia Tech’s Launch: Center for New Ventures, VTC Ventures, SOVA Innovation Hub, and The Launch Place, the fellows will connect companies with practical support in areas such as additive manufacturing, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

“This is about surrounding manufacturers and entrepreneurs with the right expertise at the right time,” said Mark Mondry, director of Launch: Center for New Ventures. “Whether it’s embedding fellows in companies or supporting startups through the Innovation Challenge, we’re helping accelerate adoption of advanced technologies across the region.”

The AM2 Innovation Challenge adds to that effort by identifying pressing industry needs and supporting five entrepreneurs through incubator space, access to specialized equipment, and mentorship. Together, these efforts are designed to speed commercialization and strengthen regional companies.

“This initiative is an embodiment of Virginia Tech’s land-grant mission,” said Christopher Williams, the L.S. Randolph Professor of Mechanical Engineering and the founding director of Virginia Tech Made. “Strengthening the connection between Virginia Tech’s manufacturing expertise and regional industry partners provides our student entrepreneurs a focused context for further innovation and learning. This not only helps our local industry but also provides meaningful opportunities for advancing the future manufacturing workforce.”

Developing the workforce

A major focus of the initiative is workforce development. Through the AM2 Career Network, partners will create new pathways for students and workers, from high school curriculum to paid internships and apprenticeships.

The Career Network will develop career and technical education curriculum to address gaps in ninth and 10th grade programming, create apprenticeships, and place at least 25 paid interns with regional companies. In its first two years, the initiative is expected to generate 100 jobs through business attraction and company expansions.

Virginia Manufacturers Association & Manufacturing Skills Institute will develop the first industry-certified AM2 credential in the nation in collaboration with Central Virginia Community College, Danville Community College, New River Community College, Patrick & Henry Community College, Virginia Western Community College, and IALR's Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program.

Institute for Advanced Learning and Research President Telly Tucker said this initiative builds on the region’s momentum by connecting world-class facilities with new pathways into advanced manufacturing careers. “By pairing hands-on innovation hubs with industry-recognized credentials, we’re creating opportunities for people to enter this field and for companies to grow with a skilled workforce,” Tucker said.

Building a regional hub

The AM2 Consortium will coordinate the region’s advanced manufacturing efforts and identify new growth opportunities by bringing together manufacturers, service providers, and economic development organizations.  

“Additive manufacturing and advanced materials are key drivers for U.S. manufacturing,” said Nanci Hardwick, CEO of MELD Manufacturing Corp., MELD PrintWorks Corp., and Aeroprobe Corp. “Promoting the region as an advanced manufacturing hub will lay the foundation for attracting more talent and businesses to the region.”

The consortium will help guide strategy and align resources around industry needs. Partners will work directly with manufacturers through one-on-one meetings to assess their readiness to adopt advanced manufacturing technologies and identify practical next steps. An AM2 Innovation fund will reduce costs to manufacturers in need of services to support technology adoption, gain access to talent, and grow their companies. The consortium will host regular gatherings to connect companies with resources and with one another.

“We’re focused on helping manufacturers move forward,” said David Bartlow, vice president of programs at GENEDGE, a Martinsville-based manufacturing and business development organization. “That means understanding their specific challenges, reducing barriers to participation, and making it easier for them to access the tools and support they need to compete.”

The Center for Economic and Community Engagement, part of Outreach and International Affairs, will support coordination and strategy, working closely with the New River Valley Regional Commission. The center will also lead economic development research by analyzing manufacturing market trends, mapping companies’ readiness to adopt advanced technologies, and benchmarking the initiative’s progress. Additional work includes developing educational materials and online tools that illustrate career pathways in advanced manufacturing.

“This is about creating a more connected, competitive advanced manufacturing ecosystem,” said Sarah Lyon-Hill, director of research development at the Center for Economic and Community Engagement. “When we align our strengths across regions and institutions, we can do far more together than we ever could alone.”