Salt Lake City— The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) announced today that it was awarded a total of $5 million for the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP) to undertake an $11,005,000 project to enhance the capabilities of the regional defense industrial ecosystem, with a focus on carbon composites and advanced materials. 

On Aug. 17, 2020, the state of Utah was selected as one of six Defense Manufacturing Communities in the nation as part of DMCSP managed by the U.S. Department of Defense. The awarded project will include several initiatives to strengthen workforce development across the Utah Defense Manufacturing Community, including developing defense manufacturing apprenticeship programs and retraining workers displaced due to COVID-19.

“We express gratitude to the U.S. Department of Defense for this $5 million program,” said Val Hale, GOED’s executive director. “Utah’s aerospace, defense and manufacturing industry is strong, and we look forward to the great things that will be accomplished through this initiative.”

GOED leads the Utah Defense Manufacturing Community (UDMC) with the Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI) as its partner. The UDMC consortium includes partners, supporters, national advisors, and the Utah Industry Resource Alliance (UIRA). Community supporters include more than 70 organizations that will implement the programs developed by the UDMC. Advisors will provide a national perspective, including America Makes, American Manufacturing Community Collaborative (AMCC), Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), Idaho National Labs, Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), and American Composites Manufacturing Association (ACMA).

The Utah defense manufacturing community plays a critical role in the defense industry ecosystem. It has been a leader in innovation, both in alignment with national security and supply chain support for more than 80 years. The DMCSP will enable integration and expansion of successful programs and introduce new offerings to prepare for the future of defense manufacturing by creating a single integrated program incorporating a four-pillar approach, including 1) workforce, 2) supply chain, 3) research, and 4) small business and incubators.

The DMCSP is designed to support long-term community investments that strengthen national security innovation and expand the defense industrial ecosystem’s capabilities. The program is authorized under Section 846 of the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act and was developed in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

More information about the program is available here.

About Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development

Under the direction of Gov. Gary R. Herbert, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) provides resources and support for business creation, growth and recruitment. It helps drive increased tourism, film production and outdoor recreation in the state. Utilizing state resources and private sector contracts, GOED administers programs in economic areas that demonstrate the highest potential for development. Learn more at business.utah.gov or by calling (801) 538-8680.