WNE Receives $850,000 Earmark for Center for Advanced Manufacturing

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal joined Western New England University (WNE) President Robert Johnson; Hossein Cheraghi, dean of the College of Engineering; as well as students, faculty, and staff to announce an $850,000 earmark for the establishment of WNE’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (CAMS).

The allocation was made possible through congressionally directed spending from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Neal included funding for this project in the FY 2024 spending bill that was signed into law by President Biden on March 9. This funding will allow WNE to establish CAMS, which will serve as a hub for industry-university collaboration, focusing on training and retraining a workforce in advanced manufacturing techniques.

“In an ever-changing society fueled by innovation and technological developments, the importance of workforce development cannot be understated. As a result, higher education has come to play a prominent role in training the next generation of workers. That is why I was proud to fight for Western New England University to secure funding that will benefit their students for years to come,” Neal said. “As one of the top engineering programs in the nation, WNE continues to invest in programs that will lead to immediate job placement upon graduation. This funding will play a critical role in ensuring their students are equipped with the skills needed to meet the demands of our region’s workforce, stimulating economic growth and opportunities.”