New River Valley, VA – The GO Virginia state board just announced a $4.2 million grant to strengthen Virginia’s AM2 Initiative, a regional manufacturing consortium. A recent article by Virgina Tech states that the grant is matched by more than $2 million in regional support and is “expected to create 100 jobs in its first two years and help develop a workforce pipeline to manufacturing and technology careers.”
Originally created in 2023 from a federally awarded strategy development grant, the Virginia’s AM2 Initiative is led by the New River Valley Regional Commission supported by Onward New River Valley, Virginia Tech, and partners across GO Virginia Regions 2 and 3.
The AM2 Initiative focuses on additive manufacturing and advanced materials (AM2) and has applications across a variety of industries, from energy, aerospace, to defense. The consortium “will coordinate the region’s advanced manufacturing efforts and identify new growth opportunities by bringing together manufacturers, service providers, and economic development organizations.” It will also bridge these partners together to help shorten the path from idea to production, connect employers to a talent pipeline, and test new technologies.
This initiative will help strengthen the New River Valley’s position as a hub for innovation in manufacturing. Discover more about advanced manufacturing in the NRV here.
Learn more about the AM2 Initiative here.
Read Virginia Tech’s full article here.
Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.
