The aerospace and defense supply chain innovation network for manufacturers will support rapid growth of small and medium enterprises

The University of Texas at El Paso received a $3 million Project Grant award from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration under the BUILD TO SCALE federal grant program (CFDA #11.024) to support the Aerospace and Defense Supply Chain Innovation Network for Manufacturers. The three-year grant project, running from October 2021 through September 2024, will enhance the innovation and business capabilities of El Paso's existing manufacturing sector and connect them to the national aerospace and defense value chain. The University of Texas at El Paso's Aerospace Center and W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation will lead the El Paso Makes Innovation Network in partnership with the El Paso Chamber and City of El Paso. Two federal sub awards totaling $3 million were also issued under the grant to the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining and the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce to strengthen the competitiveness of El Paso's manufacturing sector by leveraging the research expertise of the University of Texas at El Paso.

The innovation network will enhance the innovation and business capabilities of EL paso's existing manufacturing sector and connect them to the national aerospace and defense value chain. EL paso makes led by the university of texas at EL paso's aerospace center (CSETR) and W.M. Keck center for 3D innovation, the EL paso chamber, and the city of EL paso will leverage the national research preeminence at utep to strengthen the competitiveness of EL paso's manufacturing sector.