ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute announces the funding of four Makerspaces provided by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Region’s Build Back Better initiative awarded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The Makerspaces are led by the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), Penn State New Kensington, and Westmoreland County Community College. This funding will enable each Makerspace to build upon their existing capabilities and offer support to a greater number of organizations and individuals interested in advanced manufacturing technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Collectively, the four maker spaces were awarded $6M over a period of four years.
The ARM Institute is the nation’s leading robotics Manufacturing Innovation Institute. Since 2017, the ARM Institute has worked with its nearly 400 member organizations to catalyze 120+ robotics and workforce projects to strengthen U.S. manufacturing. The Institute facilitates collaboration between industry, government, and academia to propel solutions that address urgent needs in manufacturing. Operating as a non-profit organization, the ARM Institute acts as an honest broker between robotics and manufacturing stakeholders.
This funding will build upon existing capabilities within the Makerspaces, enhance their equipment and offerings, and make their services more readily available. The services offered through each Makerspace are unique. Through the grant, the ARM Institute will advise the Makerspaces and help to expand the scope of their services to benefit small and medium-sized manufacturers and manufacturing entrepreneurs.