Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker released the following statement on the addition of the eighth National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) institute. The Revolutionary Fibers and Textiles Manufacturing Innovation Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts will be spearheaded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense.
 
“I congratulate Secretary Carter and the Department of Defense on the addition of another institute to the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “This eighth manufacturing hub will help spur innovation in America’s growing textile industry through the combined efforts and resources of American companies, leading universities, and nonprofits. Like the other institutes in the network, the new Revolutionary Fibers and Textiles Manufacturing Innovation Institute will support the development of solutions to industry-relevant problems, strengthen the skills of America’s workforce, and help secure U.S. leadership in emerging manufacturing technologies.
 
“At the Department of Commerce, we are proud to have been chosen to lead the network of advanced manufacturing hubs. We released the first annual report on the NNMI program, which tells the story of the NNMI’s development and highlights the activities and initial successes achieved by each of these hubs. In addition, we have published the first NNMI Strategic plan, which explains the path forward for the NNMI program. 
 
“The Department of Commerce has also launched the first ‘open topic’ competition, which will result in the creation of at least two new manufacturing institutes. This competition is open to any topic proposed by industry not already addressed by an NNMI institute.
 
“Collectively, the federal government’s commitment of about $600 million to the eight existing institutes has been matched by more than $1.2 billion in non-federal investment from across industry, academia, and state governments. Today’s new addition to the rapidly growing National Network for Manufacturing Innovation will help us reach the President’s goal of 15 manufacturing innovation institutes before he leaves office.”