Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost Digital Manufacturing Technologies Program at Kansas State University

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, to boost the capacity of the university’s Technology Development Institute to assist Kansas manufacturers. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will provide digital design and manufacturing technology services and product development to both university students and private industry manufacturers across the state, supporting Kansas’ small manufacturing industry. This EDA grant will be matched with $500,000 in local funds and is expected to create 85 jobs and retain 160 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to harnessing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Kansas State University will play an important role in supporting small manufacturing scale-up infrastructure in Kansas.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will support the development and deployment of digital design and manufacturing programs and services for communities across the state, making the local economy more resilient and better equipped to overcome future economic disruptions.”

“The Technology Development Institute at Kansas State University is a vital partner to my administration in unlocking even more of the great potential of Kansas manufacturers,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “This funding will advance its important work and service to the state – all while fueling nearly 250 jobs for Kansans.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.