push for albuquerque manufacturing and innovation center continues

Up to $6 million in federal funding may soon be available for the building of a facility dedicated to advancing innovative manufacturing solutions while also working with a variety of government agencies.

Funding for the project has been included in the new fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. That $740 billion legislation has just been approved by the U.S. Senate on an 86 to 14 vote.

Advanced by New Mexico Senators Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall, the Small Satellite Manufacturing and Innovation Center, as envisioned, will be easily accessed by both government agencies as well as approved industry partners.

In a press release from Heinrich’s office, it was additionally noted that the new center will create “a manufacturing environment that encourages maximum collaboration between industry, academia, and the government.”

The center will house a “satellite prototyping and software laboratory that enables access to capital equipment, industry, academia, and government with classified meeting capabilities.”

Funding for the preliminary design of the planned center was approved in last year’s defense authorization legislation.
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The new defense bill has also been approved in the House, with lawmakers currently involved in reconciling the two versions of the legislation for a final vote. 

​By Garry Boulard

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