Startups can access Virginia's $24.8 million manufacturing program through shared prototyping labs, trained workers, and a planned innovation grants competition. The Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials (AM2) coalition, a regional manufacturing hub, channels the funds into those business resources rather than checks to founders.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration intends to award $24,791,450 for workforce development in southwest Virginia after 2024 Hurricane Helene, as stated in the agency's award announcement. The effort centers on Southern and Southwest Virginia for manufacturers and related startups.
Table of Contents
- Where the $24.8 million goes
- Is your startup a fit?
- How do you prototype with AM2 Studios?
- Where will trained workers come from?
- How do you chase the innovation grants?
Where the $24.8 million goes
Virginia Tech Engineering would receive $16,972,068 for test beds and applied engineering work. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research would receive about $4.41 million for workforce training. The New River Valley Regional Commission would receive $3,406,055 to coordinate manufacturers. Rep.
John McGuire and Rep. Morgan Griffith list those three awards in the regional grant details. The U.S. EDA describes the funding as an intended award to coalition institutions for equipment, certification and workforce programs. That structure directs founders toward services and partnerships rather than direct applications.
Is your startup a fit?
The program focuses on Southern and Southwest Virginia. Virginia Tech lists New River Valley, Southern Virginia, Roanoke and Lynchburg as target areas.
Virginia Tech reports about 1,200 manufacturers employ 60,000 people in aerospace, medical devices, construction materials and packaging. Additive manufacturing builds parts layer by layer, often with industrial 3D printing. Startups designing physical products, parts or production tools gain the most.
How do you prototype with AM2 Studios?
AM2 Studios, run through Virginia Tech's College of Engineering, will equip test beds for designing, prototyping, testing and optimizing new products. AM2 Tech Hub describes those test beds as a direct resource for product startups in its grant summary.
Start outreach through the New River Valley Regional Commission at [email protected]. AM2 Tech Hub lists that contact as the entry point for engagement.
- Bring a specific part or production bottleneck, not only an idea.
- Ask about test-bed time for design, prototype and test work.
- Plan for iteration on materials, tolerances and cost.
Where will trained workers come from?
The AM2 Career Network is led by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research with the Virginia Manufacturers Association's Manufacturing Skills Institute. It will create a nationally recognized additive-manufacturing credential and train 2,000 workers through expanded apprenticeships, according to AM2 Tech Hub.
For a startup, that means a larger local pool for printing, finishing and quality roles. Early contact helps shape apprenticeship projects around real production needs. Hiring from a credentialed pipeline can reduce training time for specialized roles.
How do you chase the innovation grants?
The AM2 Consortium, led by the New River Valley Regional Commission, will connect manufacturers, attract industry and run an innovation grants competition. AM2 Tech Hub says the competition will help firms adopt additive manufacturing. The U.S.
EDA describes the $24.8 million as intended funding to coalition institutions, not separate cash awards to startups. Founders gain access by joining consortium activity and preparing for the innovation grants competition. Email [email protected] now to ask about consortium updates and competition timing.