Federal Announcements

The Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce and Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) have signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide up to $325 million in proposed direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act to solidify U.S. leadership in semiconductor-grade polysilicon production. The proposed funding would support the construction of a new manufacturing facility on HSC’s existing campus in Hemlock, Michigan.

For small businesses that may not be able to meet cybersecurity requirements on their own, the Army is planning to launch a pilot program called the Next-Generation Commercial Operations in Defended Enclaves, or NCODE, which essentially provides a cyber-secure enclave in a secure environment for small businesses to participate in where they can collaborate, share information, and do their own work.

The Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce and Wolfspeed, Inc. have signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide up to $750 million in proposed direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. The proposed funding would support the construction of a new silicon carbide wafer manufacturing facility in Siler City, North Carolina, helping to secure a reliable domestic supply of the semiconductors.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the expansion of SBA’s Regional Innovation Cluster network with 14 new awards. These awards aim to enhance the reach and impact of the SBA’s support for innovative small businesses and entrepreneurial support organizations across the country. Awardees will serve as hubs for local economies in biotech, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, and agriculture.

President Joe Biden proclaimed tomorrow, Oct. 4, 2024, National Manufacturing Day. “I thank our manufacturing workers for all that they do to strengthen our Nation, encourage all Americans to look for ways to get involved in their communities, and call on everyone to join me in participating in National Manufacturing Day and, most importantly, buying American.”

The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to announce an open competition demonstrating how AI can assist in developing new sustainable semiconductor materials and processes that meet industry needs and can be designed and adopted within five years. CHIPS for America anticipates up to $100 million in funding to award recipients that develop university-led, industry-informed, collaborations about artificial intelligence-powered autonomous experimentation (AI/AE).

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration is awarding a $2.6 million grant to New Garden Park Inc., in Worcester, Massachusetts, for roadway and utility infrastructure improvements to support the manufacturing sector in the region.

The Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration is awarding a $1.2 million grant to the city of Sumter, South Carolina, for water infrastructure improvements needed to boost the region’s clean energy industry. This grant will support the establishment of a new solar wafer manufacturing facility.

The Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration is investing $9 million in the state of Kentucky to boost the automotive manufacturing sector and promote small business development in the region.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding an $800,000 grant to The Industrial Commons in Morganton, North Carolina, to support textile manufacturing in the region. This grant will provide for personnel and equipment in support of expanding the local textile production industry.