This EDA investment supports the southwestern pennsylvania (swpa) new economy collaborative, a coalition of the region's leading university, philanthropic, and private sector leaders, with…

This $15,017,162 Economic Development Administration Project Grant will strengthen the robotics and autonomy cluster in Southwestern Pennsylvania through five projects. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program aims to support regions experiencing adverse economic changes. Projects include expanding pathways to careers in robotics and artificial intelligence through workforce training programs and a small and medium enterprise robotics adoption initiative. Innovation Works will support the milestones of the Robotics Factory Project, consisting of a startup studio, accelerator, and growth sub-projects. Once implemented, the investment is intended to develop industry clusters while embracing economic equity, job creation, and enhancing U.S. competitiveness globally in this region impacted by declines in coal. The award was issued on September 8, 2022 by the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.

This EDA investment supports the southwestern pennsylvania (swpa) new economy collaborative, a coalition of the region's leading university, philanthropic, and private sector leaders, with strengthening the robotics and autonomy cluster in southwestern pennsylvania by ensuring that its economic benefits equitably reach rural and coal-impacted communities in the 11-county region. The five projects funded as part of this award include support for the expanded pathways to new economy careers to grow the region's existing robotics and AI-related workforce training portfolio and a SME robotics adoption project to support technology adoption by small- and medium-sized enterprises. Once implemented, the investment will help develop and strengthen regional industry clusters - all while embracing economic equity, creating good-paying jobs, and enhancing U.S. Competitiveness globally.