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Connecting the Dots: Summer 2024 Newsletter

Jul 19, 2024 | Newsletters

Welcome to the Summer 2024 NC DMCSP Newsletter!

Since our previous newsletter, a lot has been happening in the DMCSP ecosystem. This issue will describe several textile, defense and manufacturing-related events conducted by the DMCSP partners during the past six months. A few of the many events held since January 25, 2024 include the Defense Alliance of North Carolina’s Artificial Intelligence forum series launched at NC State University, a visit by the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology to the Textile Technology Center, NCMBC and DEFTECH Southeast Regional Federal Construction, Infrastructure & Environment Summit in Wilmington and The Southern Textile Association Northern Division Spring Meeting at the NC State University Wilson College of Textiles.

In this edition, we have included links to relevant articles you may find interesting and upcoming events you may want to attend.

Have a great summer!

— Michael Mullins, Director, Defense Industry Initiatives, NC State Industry Expansion Solutions

Science and Technology forums on Artificial Intelligence

The Defense Alliance of North Carolina in partnership with the Michael Best Law Firm and the IES Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP) held the first of eight Science and Technology forums on Artificial Intelligence at the Talley Student Union, NC State University on January 25, 2024.

The series entitled, “Decoding North Carolina’s AI Landscape” includes interactive roundtables with key representatives from North Carolina’s AI sector and defense community. At the NC State kickoff event, Michael Best representatives reviewed the firm’s comprehensive analysis of North Carolina’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, covering North Carolina’s academic involvement in AI, the state’s growing infrastructure, entities and individuals actively engaged in AI development, and North Carolina businesses that are significantly leveraging existing AI technologies.

The roundtables, held at universities across North Carolina, highlighted each host university’s AI work underway to better understand how NC’s AI ecosystem can serve the defense community. The series provides the foundation for a comprehensive analysis of the state of AI in North Carolina and highlights future opportunities for the defense sector.

Textile Leaders Round Table Discussion

In February, Jasmine Cox-Wade, of the Gaston College Textile Technology Center, and Stephen Sharp, of Fiber Innovation Center participated in a round table discussion with Dr. Arati Prabhakar, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology, and fellow textile industry leaders. Hosted by the Manufacturing Solutions Center, the event followed the January 29, 2024 announcement of the launch of the NC Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine (NC, SC, TN and VA) led by The Industrial Commons. The program aims to advance the nation’s capacity for environmentally sustainable textiles by advancing smart textiles and wearable technology, reducing carbon outputs and the number of textiles in landfills, and nurturing the development of new product lines that use circular methods. Other members of the leadership team are The Industrial Commons, NC State University Wilson College of Textiles, the Manufacturing Solutions Center at Catawba Valley Community College, NC IDEA, the NC Department of Commerce, RTI International and Western Piedmont Community College.

Jasmine Cox-Wade (L), Executive Director of the Textile Technology Center, Dr. Arati Prabhakar (C), Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology and Stephen Sharp, VP of Fiber Innovation

Southeast Regional Federal Construction, Infrastructure & Environment Summit

On April 16-18, the North Carolina Military Business Center and North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office (DEFTECH) conducted the Southeast Regional Federal Construction, Infrastructure & Environment Summit in Wilmington, NC.

The Summit, which raises awareness of and support for those companies who are already engaged in or want to do business in the federal market, is the most-recognized federal construction event in the Southeastern United States. The event brought together over 800+ representatives of the Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Fort Liberty, Marine Corps Installations East, Seymour Johnson AFB, other Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps installations, US Coast Guard, Department of Veterans Affairs, General Services Administration, other federal agencies, general and specialty contractors, designers and construction suppliers from throughout the Southeast of the United States.

The “Program and Requirements Dialogues” addressed future projects and acquisition strategies, contractor experiences, teaming and supplier opportunities and other issues related to acquisition and execution of projects at military bases and government facilities throughout the Southeast. Sessions also highlighted information on federal opportunities in environmental engineering and remediation, energy and horizontal infrastructure (including roads and intersections, water, wastewater, natural gas and other utilities).

Northern Division Spring Meeting

On April 23rd, The Southern Textile Association held the Northern Division Spring Meeting at the NC State University Wilson College of Textiles (DMCSP partner). The meeting brought together approximately 75 industry representatives from the textile sector.

As one of the seven gatherings organized by Southern Textile Association across the Carolinas each year, this meeting affords a valuable platform for networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration within the industry.

Attendees were treated to a diverse array of topics presented by industry experts, covering crucial aspects of textile manufacturing, innovation, sustainability, and labor issues.

One of the highlights of the meeting was a tour of the Wilson College of Textiles, offering participants a firsthand glimpse into world-class research, facilities and educational initiatives.

Dr. Andre West speaking at the Southern Textile Association Northern
Division meeting at the NC State Wilson College of Textiles about student training projects

FEDTEX 2024

On May 14 – 15, 2024, the Federal and Defense Textile and Tactical Equipment (FEDTEX) Summit hosted by the Office of US Senator Thom Tillis, Office of Senator Ted Budd, the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) and the North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office (DEFTECH) connected the US Department of Defense (DoD) and federal agency clothing and individual equipment buyers with US textile manufacturers, textile supply chain suppliers, cut and sew contractors, research and development (R&D) facilities, testing labs and academic resources.

FEDTEX Summit Partners included:

  • NC DMCSP, a program of Industry Expansion Solutions
  • Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DMCSP partner)
  • eTextileCommunications.com (DMCSP partner)
  • North Carolina Textile Technology Center at Gaston College (DMCSP partner)
  • Manufacturing Solutions Center at Catawba Valley Community College (DMCSP partner)
  • Manufacturing & Textile Innovation Network (DMCSP partner)
  • National Council of Textile Organizations
  • INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry
  • Southern Textile Association (DMCSP partner)
  • The Needle’s Eye

 

A record-breaking number of participants, over 400, attended the 2024 Federal and Defense Textile Summit at North Carolina State University

 

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