December 22, 2020
K-State gets $1.7 million in CARES Act funds to support Kansas manufacturers coping with pandemic
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration is awarding a $1.7 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to Kansas State University to modernize and retool the university's Technology Development Institute to better assist manufacturers struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The grant will be matched with $425,000 from the Technology Development Institute for a total project of $2.1 million.
The grant will be used to expand the institute's ability to provide cutting-edge technologies needed to design, fabricate and launch new products. This equipment will also ensure that existing manufacturers have the ability to access equipment that may help them to reduce costs and become more efficient with the limited labor availability in today's current manufacturing environment.
Jeff Tucker, executive director of the Technology Development Institute said, "We are extremely pleased that the Economic Development Administration has chosen to support our efforts to support the growth manufacturers and entrepreneurs across the state of Kansas. We believe that this investment will pay dividends for years to come in helping to develop and launch new products and technologies which have a positive impact on the Kansas economy."
"I want to extend my thanks to the U.S. Department of Commerce for making an investment in Kansas State University during a time when our academic institutions have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly. "This grant will also spur local job creation and innovation, and support our efforts to continue rebuilding our state's foundation."
U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, Kansas, said the pandemic had had a huge impact on manufacturing operations across the state.
"With its wide-reaching network and cohort of industry experts, K-State's Technology Development Institute is uniquely positioned to assist impacted manufacturers as they work to respond and recover from the pandemic," Marshall said. "This grant from the Economic Development Administration will create new opportunities for employment, economic growth, and private investment, helping manufacturers pivot operations and retool their workforce to meet the challenges and demands of today's economy."
The K-State Technology Development Institute, a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration University Center, provides a broad range of engineering and business development services to both private industry and university researchers to advance the commercial readiness of new products or technologies. The institute is part of the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering. Additional information is available at k-state.edu/tdi.