MEDC Provides $275,000 Grant To Promote Industry 4.0 In Northern Michigan

TRAVERSE CITY — Awareness and use of the latest manufacturing technology is getting a boost in northwest lower Michigan from a $275,000 Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant.

The Northwest Industry 4.0 Consortium received the grant to further the awareness and integration of Industry 4.0 practices in the region. The Consortium members are the Alliance for Economic Success, Cadillac Area Manufacturing Association, Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Council, Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Networks Northwest, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Northwest Industrial Association, Northwest Michigan Works!, Northwestern Michigan College and Traverse Connect.

Industry 4.0 is the ongoing advancement of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern technology and automation. Key activities funded by the grant will include:

• Northwest Industry 4.0 Learning Lab/Hub & Micro-Credentialing;

• Awareness building in the manufacturing sector through Manufacturing Association Industry 4.0 Alignment; and

• Regional Economic Development Industry 4.0 Strategy and Marketing

About the Author: Mike Brennan

Founder of Michigan News Network, and serves as CEO, as well as Editor & Publisher of MITECHNEWS.COM. Brennan has worked since 1980 as a technology writer at newspapers in New York, NY, San Jose, CA., Seattle, WA., Memphis, TN., Detroit, MI., and London, England. He co-founded and served as managing editor of Pacific Rim News Service (SEATTLE), which developed a network of more than 100 freelance journalists in 17 Asia-Pacific countries.