Three entities, including two IUP-related ones, will receive $1.5 million in funding through the Southwestern PA New Economy Collaborative as part of the national government’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge.
The money will be allocated to create what is being described as “an entrepreneurial makerspace ecosystem” that will include IUP, the IUP-lead STEAMSHOP robotics and electronics site in Armstrong County that was formerly the Northpointe campus, and the Made In Johnstown facility in Cambria County. The funding comes from the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute as part of the Southwestern PA New Economy Collaborative. The Institute is the nation’s leading robotics and AI Manufacturing Innovation institute, and is located in Pittsburgh.
In a statement, Senator Joe Pittman said that the programs that will be offered due to that funding is important and will help students in Armstrong County and throughout the region develop and learn and help them remain competitive in the science and technology fields.
This additional funding builds upon the nearly $1 million IUP received in September 2022 through the BBB Regional Challenge Grant to support four initiatives at IUP, including the IUP STEAMSHOP. Additional IUP initiatives funded by that $1 million grant include Data Analytics/Computer Science AI platforms and resources; Safety Sciences AI and Robotic Research; and Geological-Geospatial Intelligence initiatives.
