State of Rhode Island (DIA)
Abstract
Small and mid-sized manufacturers in Rhode Island are being impacted by both reductions in DoD procurement accounts and uncertainty in the overall federal budgeting process. These reductions in Defense spending present a business risk and leave these manufacturers overexposed. Further reductions, if realized, will result in layoffs and negative economic impacts throughout the state’s economy. This grant represents Phase II of the Rhode Island Defense Industry Diversification Initiative. This initial phase involved research and analysis and some early piloting of a response approach to the issue of diversification. Under this grant, the State of Rhode Island expects to extend that initial pilot and create a model that can be fully implemented in support of a sustainable defense manufacturing diversification program. There are four components of this effort: Creation of an Innovation Center for Design and Manufacturing (non-construction); Implementing a Design Readiness Service Package; Development of Curriculum and a design-manufacturing certificate; Management and communications to support ongoing development The results of this effort will: Provide a full continuum of services to defense-related manufacturers that are looking to diversify their economic base and potential; Perfect the approach to economic diversification as embodied in the initial design readiness assessment; Allow for replication of the approach and tools developed during the first phase of this pilot; Develop a lasting resource for defense-related manufacturers; Provide economic diversification assistance directly to at least fifty companies
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 06, 2016
- Source ID
- HQ00051610002
Entities
People
- Darin Early
Organizations
- Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Rhode Island Commerce Corporation