PROVIDENCE, RI – In an effort to boost local manufacturing, strengthen domestic supply chains, and help Rhode Island companies get ahead, U.S. Senator Jack Reed helped make up to $2 million in federal funds available for Rhode Island through the State Manufacturing Leadership Program (SMLP).  Now, Senator Reed is encouraging the state to apply for those federal funds to accelerate the deployment of smart manufacturing technologies by small and medium manufacturers (SMMs).  These newly available federal funds will help Rhode Island manufacturers utilize smart manufacturing technologies and high-performance computing.

Senator Reed helped include a total of $50 million for the State Manufacturing Leadership Program as part of the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58).  The State Manufacturing Leadership Program strives to help SMMs procure and implement high-performance computing technologies and other smart manufacturing technologies and practices. 

All small and medium manufacturers are eligible, with a focus on helping advance regional economic development priorities.  One of the key goals of the program is helping SSMs make technology upgrades to reduce their energy costs and emissions.

“This federal funding will help Rhode Island’s small and medium-sized manufacturers evolve and compete with larger companies on a global scale.  This is a valuable opportunity to help local manufacturers implement smart-growth strategies, harness new technology to become more energy efficient, and use integrated data-management to grow their businesses and expand their customer base,” said Reed.

Under the law, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will award as much as $2 million per state for projects with a performance period of up to three years for states to expend the federal funding.  To unlock the federal funds, states must provide a cost match of at least 30 percent of the total award. 

According to the DOE, states may use the federal funding to create new programs or expand existing programs that provide technical assistance to SMMs .

The State Manufacturing Leadership Program will also connect SMMs with technical assistance providers, like the Manufacturing USA institutes, the National Laboratories, NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnerships, Industrial Assessment Centers, and institutions of higher education.

Reed says it is important for the state to submit an application before the submission deadline on May 30, 2023.  Rhode Islanders wishing to learn more about the program can join an informational DOE webinar on the State Manufacturing Leadership Program funding opportunity on April 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. ET.  Register here.