State of Georgia - Georgia Tech
Abstract
Fluctuations in defense spending going back to 2011, and continuing up to the inflation-adjusted flat line defense budget in 2021, have created vulnerability in Georgia?s defense sector. The lack of predictability in the federal defense budget make it difficult to plan and invest at the small and mid-sized company level because these companies do not know if today?s defense contract will be there tomorrow. This disincentive to bidding on defense work serves to weaken the defense industrial base as manufacturers seek more predictability in their business cycle. Part of a solution for this challenge lies in integrating new manufacturing technologies and processes into the small and mid-sized companies within Georgia?s defense manufacturing sector to make them more competitive and resilient to Department of Defense demand signals. Under this grant award, the Georgia Institute of Technology in concert with Spelman College and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) will work toward the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies for Georgia manufacturers. Specifically, this consortium will provide a formal mechanism for community education and cooperation for defense manufacturers, lower the bar for small businesses to adopt new technologies by providing new funding to mitigate the risk of new technology adoption, and provide informational workshops and webinars, and onsite consulting to these defense manufacturing businesses. To build a more resilient workforce, the consortium will work toward creating pathways and training curricula which will encourage greater involvement in this sector by underrepresented groups within the local economy. Training curricula will be created and delivered by Spelman College and TCSG via internships, webinars, workshops, and courses. It is the intent of this project to improve the agility of Georgia?s defense sector in responding to the emergent demands of the Department of Defense, and in doing so provide quality jobs and increased economic activity within the state.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 15, 2021
- Source ID
- HQ00052110040
Entities
People
- Aaron Stebner
Organizations
- Georgia Tech Research Corporation
- Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation
- Office of the Secretary of Defense