WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper (both D-Del.), and Congressman John Carney (D-Del.), today applauded the Department of Energy’s designation of the University of Delaware (UD) as a partner in a new national manufacturing innovation institute, led by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and part of the federal “Manufacturing USA” initiative. This award will invest $70 million over 5 years in developing a broad range of breakthrough technologies and processes to improve productivity and efficiency, especially related to chemical manufacturing. The work undertaken through this latest institute will be beneficial to a number of industry sectors, including refining, biorefining, chemicals, paper, water, steel, fertilizing, carbon capture and utilization, and fuel cells.
“Today’s announcement from the Department of Energy makes official what I’ve long known: the University of Delaware is a true hub of manufacturing innovation,” said Senator Coons. “The success of programs like Manufacturing USA, which evolved from a private sector-led advisory group, demonstrates the combined power of savvy private sector innovation, high-quality scientific research, and smart federal investments. From our talented workforce to the quality of our universities, by so many measures Delaware is already a key contributor to the innovation pipeline. That central role, and the high-wage, high-quality jobs that manufacturing provides many Delawareans, is why I’ve fought so hard for manufacturing in the Senate. With the additional funding and the support of this latest Manufacturing USA designation, our state will be able to accomplish even more. I congratulate UD on this well-deserved designation, and I look forward to continuing to join forces with our congressional delegation, UD, state and local officials, and private sector leaders to solidify Delaware’s central role in twenty-first century manufacturing.”
“I applaud the University of Delaware for receiving the Manufacturing USA grant award,” said Senator Carper. “UD has a reputation for supporting public-private partnerships that foster innovation, and with this grant award, the university can be a major part of a national effort to accelerate research and education in manufacturing.”
“Bringing manufacturing jobs back to America and developing a well-trained workforce are crucial to our economy,” said Congressman Carney. “The University of Delaware has become a central part of that effort in our state -- that they’re being recognized nationally for their ingenuity comes as no surprise. I’m excited to see what they will accomplish given the resources this grant will provide.”
