North Carolina Receives Strategy Development Grants for Optics and Metrology and Industrialized Construction

Why It Matters:

These grants highlight North Carolina's commitment to developing sustainable manufacturing frameworks and affordable housing solutions, positioning the state as a leader in these industries.

The Details:

Charlotte Award:

• The Carolinas Innovation Center for Optics and Metrology (CICOM) Strategy Development Consortium in Charlotte has received the award.

• The consortium aims to develop a regional roadmap for applying optics and metrology technologies to build a sustainable manufacturing framework.

• UNC-Charlotte leads the consortium, in partnership with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and the Centralina Regional Council.

• The application covers a total of 16 counties in North and South Carolina.

Western NC Award:

• The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro, covering Burke and Catawba counties, has also received an award.

• The Western North Carolina Industrialized Construction (NCIC) Strategy Development Consortium, led by ADL Ventures, focuses on affordable housing and sustainable construction solutions.

• NCIC will develop construction strategies for offsite manufacturing of prefabricated components.

Grant Winners:

• The Tech Hubs, announced by the White House and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), were awarded to 31 locations across 32 states and Puerto Rico.

• The Strategy and Development Grants were awarded to 29 locations, with 11 also designated as Tech Hubs.

• North Carolina is among the 13 states that received Strategy and Development Grants but did not receive Tech Hub designations.
  

Conclusion:

North Carolina's recipients of the Strategy Development Grants are well-positioned to enhance local coordination and development efforts, ultimately aiming for a future attempt at achieving the Tech Hub designation.