The Rock Island Arsenal, Chamber of Commerce, and John Deere are welcoming the Quad Cities to the "manufacturing revolution." Today, they announced the opening of a local chapter of the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute, or DMDII.
Spokesman Jacob Goodwin, says DMDII is a public-private partnership of over 500 companies, universities, and government agencies. The goal is to bring the newest data and digital technology to manufacturers, so they can build better products more efficiently.
The Quad Cities chapter is just the second for the institute, and will support local small and medium-sized manufacturers.
He says local companies will have access to research and resources from manufacturing labs across the nation, including training. DMDII opened its first chapter in Rockford earlier this month.
Last year, the institute, based in Chicago, received a $70 million federal grant, along with $250 million from the private sector, including John Deere.
In August, the Quad Cities Chamber launched a Manufacturing Innovation Hub, with help from a federal grant and matching local funds. It connects companies to resources, and will now facilitate relationships with the DMDII.
Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Illinois US Senator Dick Durbin, and leaders from Deere, the chamber, local colleges, and the institute helped celebrate the opening of the Quad Cities chapter on Arsenal Island today.
