Ohio workshop seeks ideas for National Network for Manufacturing Innovation
13 June 2012
NASA and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) are sponsoring the second in a series of regional public workshops to gather ideas and suggestions on the design of the proposed National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). The workshop will be held 9 July at the Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland.
“Designing for Impact II: Workshop on Building the NNMI” is a partnership between the interagency Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office in Gaithersburg, Md., and local Cleveland organizations that include NASA's Glenn Research Center, Cuyahoga Community College and Case Western Reserve University. Confirmed workshop speakers are NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, NIST Director Patrick Gallagher and Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown. Invited speakers include congressional, state and local leaders.
Conceived to address strategic gaps in US manufacturing innovation, the NNMI is envisioned as a network of up to 15 regional hubs—Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation—that will connect research discoveries and budding ideas for tomorrow’s technologies and products with current US manufacturers and startup firms of tomorrow. The network is proposed as a public and private collaboration in the President’s FY 2013 budget.
These regional collaborations will bring together industry, universities and community colleges, federal agencies and states to accelerate innovation by investing in industrially relevant manufacturing technologies with broad applications. They also will support education and training of an advanced manufacturing work force.
Workshop participants will learn about the principles and concepts behind the NNMI and participate in interactive sessions designed to solicit ideas on how best to structure the network and the institutes.
Facilitated interactive discussions will focus on four areas key to the success of the institutes:
- Technologies with broad impact
- Institute structure and governance
- Strategies for sustainable institute operations
- Education and work force development
This event builds on the first regional workshop on designing and building the innovation network, held in Troy, N.Y., 25 April. In addition, the Ohio workshop will explore manufacturing-related interests and needs specific to the region.
The workshops are organized by the newly created interagency Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, which is charged with coordinating federal resources and programs to enhance technology transfer to US manufacturers. The workshops are hosted by NIST. Core partner agencies include NASA, the Department of Defense, Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.
I think the real issue is getting the businesses who are sitting on tons of cash to invest in America. We have no lack of innovation, although the creators don't really get credit, since MBAs tend to be greedy, but I digress. The thing is, most of the tax cuts went to investments in China and Mexico or to large stacks of cash that just sit and aren't being invested. There is nothing that says that American companies have to invest in the US, you just might expect some loyalty on their part, for having the opportunity to become so wealthy and powerful. I suppose that driving down the middle class makes them feel better about themselves by underscoring the difference between them and us. I guess it's only fun being ridiculously wealthy when there are poor people about. I suppose too, transferring tax payer dollars to industry is kind of their last new frontier of greed. I'll bet the folks at the golf clubs are sitting around laughing about how they were able to make millions while sticking the tax payer with the bill and yet convincing a large segment of the population that it was that evil federal government that did it. I'll bet they are still laughing in amazement at the ridiculous stupidity of the average american citizen. I must admit, while I don't find it funny, I am equally amazed.
Posted by: Brotherkenny4 | 13 June 2012 at 07:14 AM
B4 - loyalty, nationalism, patriotism, wealth sharing, paying income or any other taxes are all things that people with $$$$ learned to avoid.
Buying off needed politicians, elections and the gullible majority is less costly and more profitable.
Posted by: HarveyD | 13 June 2012 at 07:55 AM