A Case Western Reserve University-led coalition has advanced to the final round of a major federal competition that could bring up to $160 million to Northeast Ohio over 10 years.
NEO-SMART, short for Northeast Ohio Strengthening Manufacturing for American Resilience through Technology, was named one of 15 finalists in the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program. The consortium emerged from 29 semifinalists selected in July.
The NSF Engines program is designed to drive economic growth, enhance national security, and create jobs by advancing critical technologies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced materials and biotechnology.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the region and exactly what research universities should do,” Case Western Reserve University President Eric W. Kaler said in a statement.
NEO-SMART’s 10-year vision includes creating 20,000 jobs, fortifying domestic supply chains in the automotive, aerospace, defense and medical device sectors, advancing artificial intelligence and machine learning in manufacturing, and training Ohio’s future workforce.
“Ohio has a proud legacy of advanced manufacturing leadership, and NEO-SMART would take that legacy into the future,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “By combining public investments, research capacity, and workforce training, we’re not just building factories, we’re building opportunities for Ohioans across the state.”
NEO-SMART includes more than 50 partners from industry, academia, job training, philanthropy and government. Major companies include Avery Dennison, Avient Corp., Babcock & Wilcox, Bridgestone, Cleveland-Cliffs, GOJO Industries, Goodyear, Lincoln Electric, Lubrizol, Novagard, Peak Nano, Sherwin-Williams, Smithers-Oasis and Swagelok.
The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network aims to ensure small and medium-sized manufacturers can contribute to and benefit from NEO-SMART advancements.
“NEO-SMART reflects a statewide strategy of aligning talent development, site readiness, innovation and investment to position Ohio as the national leader in advanced manufacturing,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef.
The initiative focuses on advanced materials for medical devices and smart technologies for industry and collaborates with Akron’s Polymer Hub, Ohio TechCred and MAGNET.
The final competition phase includes an in-person site visit in the coming months. Matching support from regional partners could further amplify the initiative’s potential.
“The National Science Foundation’s recognition of NEO-SMART underscores Northeast Ohio’s critical place in driving U.S. competitiveness and growth,” said Steve Fritsch, Team NEO’s vice president of industry advancement and engagement.