Brown Celebrates Major CHIPS and Science Act Award of up to $160 Million to Accelerate Northeast Ohio Manufacturing

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) today celebrated the National Science Foundation's selection of the Northeast Ohio Strengthening Manufacturing for American Resilience through Technology (NEO-SMART), a consortium led by Case Western Reserve University, as one of the nation's NSF Regional Innovation Engines. The award makes NEO-SMART eligible for up to $160 million in federal investment over the next decade, beginning with an initial $15 million over the first two years. 

The NSF Regional Innovation Engines program was established through the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (NSF summary here), which Congresswoman Brown proudly voted for. This legislation, signed into law by President Biden, was designed to strengthen America's innovation economy, expand domestic manufacturing, and ensure the United States remains globally competitive. The Regional Innovation Engine program supports the establishment of translation accelerators and test beds, invests in workforce development and training, and invests in programs to provide entrepreneurial training.

“NEO-SMART’s award is exactly what the CHIPS and Science Act was intended to deliver: investments that strengthen American manufacturing, create good-paying jobs, and drive innovation in places like Northeast Ohio,” said Congresswoman Brown. “This grant is a huge win for Northeast Ohio: this critical investment reinforces that Northeast Ohio has the talent, institutions, and industrial base to lead the next generation of American manufacturing. I'm proud to have supported both the CHIPS and Science Act and the NEO-SMART application, and I look forward to seeing this investment create new opportunities for workers, businesses, and communities across our region.”

Anchored by Case Western Reserve University, the NEO-SMART Engine brings together more than 70 partners across industry, higher education, economic development, government, philanthropy, and nonprofit organizations to transform groundbreaking materials research into commercial manufacturing and new businesses. Over its full ten-year vision, the Engine aims to train 12,000 workers, accelerate commercialization of cutting-edge materials technologies, and establish Northeast Ohio as the nation's premier hub for sustainable advanced materials manufacturing.

NEO-SMART was named one of 15 finalists for the competitive NSF Engines program in September of last year.

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