Western New England University (WNE) is proud to announce its participation in the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub (NEMC), a regional initiative aimed at advancing microelectronics manufacturing and semiconductor technologies.
Massachusetts was recently awarded $19.7 million in funding for fiscal year 2023 through the federal CHIPS and Science Act to establish the NEMC, which will not only address the microelectronics needs of the U.S. Department of Defense but also foster job growth, workforce training opportunities, and investments in advanced manufacturing and technology sectors across the region.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has pledged up to $40 million in matching funds from the Immediate Needs Bond Bill, filed in January, to support the NEMC. Led by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, a coalition of over 90 organizations from across the Northeast will submit a proposal in February to establish the NEMC through the Department of Defense's Microelectronics Commons program, securing Massachusetts' position as a regional hub for innovation in the microelectronics sector.
Western New England University is pleased to be part of this initiative and will leverage its expertise in workforce development and training high-tech specialists to contribute to the NEMC's mission. As College of Engineering Dean Hossein Cheraghi stated, "The College of Engineering is thrilled to be a part of the elite coalition of industry partners and universities within the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition. We are prepared to support the coalition's technical vision and workforce development activities with our six ABET accredited engineering programs that provide breadth and depth across the semiconductor ecosystem. The College of Engineering looks forward to creating a regional pipeline of STEM talent that supports new economic development across Western Massachusetts and beyond."
Governor Maura Healey expressed her excitement in a press release, stating, "We're thrilled that Massachusetts has been selected as a regional hub to support the microelectronics needs of the Department of Defense. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Massachusetts to be at the forefront of innovation and this cutting-edge sector. The Northeast Microelectronics hub will result in new jobs and workforce development opportunities, groundbreaking research development, and resources for businesses – all right here in Massachusetts."
Associate Professor of Engineering Steve Adamshick added, "LEAP@WNE is well positioned to support NEMC activities through the use of our state-of-the-art equipment and resources. We are excited to engage with our partners in the Springfield community to provide workforce development activities across all technical aspects of NTSXL's ME Commons program. Further, LEAP@WNE will continue to provide hands-on STEM curriculum development for our K-12 partners as we aim to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers."
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll added, "This award through the CHIPS and Science Act will boost industries that are keeping Massachusetts at the forefront of innovation and help us expand economic opportunity for our residents through job training and workforce development investments. We're honored to lead this regional coalition comprised of experts in industry, research, and academia who will provide unmatched technical expertise and partnership through the Northeast Microelectronics Hub."
The NEMC is funded by the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to onshore microelectronics manufacturing and support workforce training for these industries. The Department of Defense's announcement of $238 million in funding for Microelectronics Commons is the largest award to date under President Biden's CHIPS and Science Act and will fund eight regional hubs across the country.
Western New England University's participation in the NEMC reflects its core commitment to workforce development and training the next generation of high-tech specialists. As Senior Vice President and Provost Maria Toyoda stated, "Western New England University's participation in the Hub reflects our core excellence in workforce development and in training the next generation of high-tech specialists."
The NEMC and Western New England University's involvement underscore Massachusetts' position as a leader in advanced manufacturing, technology, and innovation, and its dedication to advancing national security and economic competitiveness.
For more information about The Laboratory for Education and Application Prototypes facility at Western New England University LEAP@WNE contact Associate Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering Steve Adamshick at stephen.adamshick@wne.edu.
