Chris Holman welcomes back Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI.

Watch Tom and Chris discuss  Project DIAMOnD's $2.5M funding boost to expand 3D printing access statewide for MI manufacturers in the YouTube video shared below:

Chris had several things he wanted to find out from Tom in this latest conversation:

Q. Thanks for coming back to talk about Project DIAMOnD. We’ve had you on several times this year to talk about Project DIAMOnD but we understand that you got some very good news related to additional federal funding last week – can you tell us more about that?

Yes -- Project DIAMOnD just received $1.9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that was allocated to us by the state of Michigan. The funding was announced last week by the Michigan Infrastructure Office.
In addition, to that, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced that it would contribute $475,000 in new funding and Automation Alley will also contribute $125,000 in new funding.
So, in total, that’s an additional $2.5 million.

Q. That’s great news. Can you tell us how you are going to use this additional funding?

Until now, we have been funded by Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties – but our goal is to expand our network of connected 3D printers to companies across the state.
This investment represents an important first step in our vision of scaling Project DIAMOnD statewide to empower small- and medium-sized manufacturers across Michigan.
This additional funding will support the expansion of Project DIAMOnD to 100 small and mid-sized manufacturers.
We have also committed to using a minimum of 40% of the funding for companies in disadvantaged or underserved communities across the state. Participating companies will have access to the Project DIAMOnD Digital Transformation Program – which opened earlier this earlier this year – and expert assistance at the Project DIAMOnD Digital Transformation Center (DTC) in Auburn Hills.

Q: Can you remind our listeners what that Digital Transformation Center is?

Of course! It provides companies access to industrial 3D printing equipment, training and support.
The new Digital Transformation Center (DTC) is supported by Geofabrica, an Auburn Hills, Michigan business that specializes in the development of custom 3D printing systems and processes for industrial applications.
Through the DTC, Project DIAMOnD companies will have access to additive manufacturing courses, a team of experts, and access to additional 3D printers to test and make products.

Q: Let’s take a step back – can you remind our listeners what Project DIAMOnD is?

Project DIAMOnD stands for distributed, independent, agile manufacturing on demand. It is an initiative powered by Automation Alley and funded by Oakland County, Michigan.
Project DIAMOnD was developed in October 2020 to help Michigan manufacturers accelerate their digital transformation.
It was initially funded with $10 million from Oakland County and $2 million from Macomb County.
We used that funding to distribute 300 3D printers to small- and mid-size manufacturers at no cost, and to teach them how to use them.

Q. If I recall correctly, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressed her support earlier this year at the Mackinac Policy Conference for the work that Automation Alley and Project DIAMOnD are doing – is that correct?

Yes, that’s correct. We held a press conference with the Governor at Mackinac back in May.
At the time, she expressed support for our plan to expand statewide. Last weeks’ announcement builds on the governor’s vision to expand the “Infrastructure for Innovation,” shared technology and resources that entrepreneurs and businesses can leverage to grow in Michigan.
We are very thankful to Governor for her support and for the state for its support.

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MEDC shared more details on this announcement:

MEDC: Michigan Receives $1.9 Million in Federal Funding to Expand Project DIAMOnD

Funding will scale up Automation Alley's unprecedented network of 3D printers, lower costs for businesses, and strengthen supply chain resilience

LANSING, Michigan — The Michigan Infrastructure Office today announced that Automation Alley’s Project DIAMOnD, a shared network of 3D printers, has received $1.9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to allow small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) to adopt smart manufacturing technologies. The project will enhance manufacturers' capabilities, helping them lower costs, increase production efficiency, reduce emissions, and strengthen supply chain resilience. This announcement builds on the governor’s vision to expand the “Infrastructure for Innovation,” shared technology and resources that entrepreneurs and businesses can leverage to grow in Michigan.

"Thanks to nearly $2 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, we’re expanding Project DIAMOnD to ensure more small businesses across Michigan have access to cutting-edge tools that will help them grow their businesses, lower costs, and boost local economies,” said Zachary Kolodin, chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office (above with Chris Holman). “At the Mackinac Policy Conference, Governor Whitmer called on leaders in Michigan to expand Project DIAMOnD, and this funding delivers on that commitment. This investment is yet another step in building Michigan’s 'Infrastructure for Innovation,' creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to succeed, building our manufacturing future, and driving economic growth in every community.”

Today’s funding announcement will support the expansion of Project DIAMOnD to 100 SMMs, with a minimum of 40% in disadvantaged or underserved communities across the state. Participating companies will have access to the Project DIAMOnD Digital Transformation Program and expert assistance at the Project DIAMOnD Digital Transformation Center (DTC) in Auburn Hills. Experts will work with program participants at DTC to deploy training and workforce development, product and process assessments, roadmapping, and direct technology implementation. This expansion and one-on-one expert support will enhance SMMs' capabilities in advanced manufacturing, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction, leading to significant energy savings and improved competitiveness across Michigan’s manufacturing sector.

“This investment represents an important first step in our vision of scaling Project DIAMOnD statewide to empower small- and medium-sized manufacturers across Michigan,” said Tom Kelly, Executive Director and CEO of Automation Alley (left). “Oakland County has been an invaluable partner in spearheading Project DIAMOnD, laying the groundwork for its success and proving the transformative potential of advanced manufacturing technology. With this new support from the state of Michigan, more companies will now have the opportunity to benefit from Project DIAMOnD’s Digital Transformation Center. Together, with the Governor’s leadership, we are advancing toward our shared goal of making Michigan the global leader in advanced manufacturing innovation.”

Project DIAMOnD, which stands for Distributed, Independent, Agile Manufacturing on Demand, was initially launched by Automation Alley in 2020. This expansion is made possible by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) State Manufacturing Leadership Program, with the administration of the funding being led by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Automation Alley is contributing vial matching dollar support of $125,000 and the MEDC is contributing $475,000. The funding announced today is the first step in a full statewide expansion, where communities across Michigan create their own community centers similar to DTC so SMMs in all 83 counties can access a network of 3D printers and expert guidance.

“In Michigan, we take pride in our ability to tackle complex challenges head-on, building on our proud culture of innovation that spans generations. Project DIAMOnD is a prime example of how Michigan is banding together through public/private partnerships to ensure our small businesses and manufacturing workforce have the tools and support they need to continue innovating through this next industrial revolution and beyond,” said Ben Marchionna, Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer for the state of Michigan through the MEDC. “Together on Team Michigan, we’ll continue competing for every dollar and resource available to help our state’s innovators, risk-takers and entrepreneurs ‘make it’ here in Michigan.”

Building the Infrastructure for Innovation

Today’s funding announcement is part of Gov Whitmer’s push to build the “Infrastructure for Innovation” that entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and small businesses need to expand in Michigan. This includes boosting access to specialized equipment or technology like 3D printers that many small and medium manufacturers could use in their production process, but few can access. 

By facilitating initiatives like Project DIAMOnD, Michigan can continue working with public and private sector partners to make even more tools and resources—the Infrastructure for Innovation—available to budding entrepreneurs and business owners. Bold, unprecedented initiatives like these are also talent attraction and retention tools and will help Michigan compete to bring top talent from across the nation and around the world home. 

About the Michigan Infrastructure Office
The Michigan Infrastructure Office is responsible for organizing and executing Governor Whitmer’s vision for infrastructure, coordinating across state government, marshaling resources, and partnering with local officials, federal partners, and outside stakeholders to ensure resources sent to Michigan through BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are used efficiently and effectively. For more information about the Michigan Infrastructure Office, please visit their website.  

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.