CAMX 2021 exhibit preview: UAMMI

The Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI, Kaysville, Utah, U.S.) is a nonprofit, public-private partnership, with the mission to elevate advanced manufacturing in Utah.

At UAMMI’s CAMX 2021 booth, visitors can get a picture taken with Brent Strong, 2021 recipient of the SAMPE Distinguished Service Award for his lifetime contributions to the composites industry; get an autograph from American Idol contestant Bryce Larsen; and win an all-carbon fiber guitar from KLOS guitars. Since Utah is the “Beehive” state, UAMMI is also handing out sweet treats.

There are three federal programs that provide UAMMI funding to offer services to small and medium sized advanced manufacturing businesses in Utah: the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Regional Innovation (RIC) initiative, the Utah Defense Manufacturing Community (UDMC) designation by the Department of Defense (DOD), and Utah-MEP, which received CARES funding for 17 programs to help manufacturing companies adapt to the new economic conditions driven by the COVD-19 recession in 2020.

Among its initiatives, the UAMMI SBA RIC program funds composites manufacturing projects in the defense and aerospace sector, including the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent program (GBSD), an $83 billion program to secure our nation through replacing the aging Minuteman program. Utah’s advanced manufacturing industry also supports the medical and recreational industries with a range of products. As an SBA RIC awardee, UAMMI consistently provides services at no charge to the cluster members that lead to long-term benefits for small businesses, SBA offices, cluster partners, and other stakeholders.

Funding under the UDMC DOD designation is used to accelerate workforce programs, apprenticeships, stackable credentials systems engineering, training, and programs targeting women and girls. Additionally, the program is expanding capabilities for UAMMI's CONNEX supply chain tool to bring more business to Utah’s buyers and suppliers.

In 2021, UAMMI is adding additional federal programs to support Utah’s advanced manufacturing industry, including the Department of Energy Coal Ore Critical Mineral and Rare Earth (CORE-CM) grant awarded to the University of Utah. This is a multi-phase program, which will extend over eight to 10 years to commercialize opportunities for these key elements. UAMMI’s role is to develop community outreach and workforce development programs. UAMMI has also been instrumental in securing and executing four STTR grans from the DOD that help small businesses and link these business with universities