U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Deputy Administrator William “Bill” Briggs traveled the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center Research & Development (OMIC R&D) on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The visit was requested “to see how our region is becoming a premier hub for advanced research, development, and testing”, according to an SBA post. Briggs and his team toured OMIC’s additive and subtractive manufacturing centers and met with regional economic development, workforce, and education partners.
During the tour, Briggs saw OMIC R&D’s newly installed Impossible Objects CBAM25 continuous fiber composite additive system as well as the OMIC’s new WFL M70 mill-turn machine. The CBAM25, particularly, opens new doors for OMIC R&D to support unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/UAV) businesses, where lightweight, high-strength composite parts are essential, centrally positioning OMIC in Oregon’s growing drone industry. Both machine platforms reflect OMIC R&D’s focus on giving Oregon manufacturers, particularly small and mid-sized companies, access to advanced production technologies and applied research they cannot easily invest in on their own. “From classroom prototypes to national security solutions — Oregon innovation is building the future of American manufacturing” is the SBA’s description in social media Wednesday.
The visit concluded with Briggs addressing the partners and stakeholders in attendance, and opening the floor for conversation, providing a vigorous opportunity to connect directly with SBA leadership, discuss collaborations already in place, and learn more about the agency’s programs and resources for small businesses.
“We were excited to welcome Deputy Administrator Briggs to OMIC R&D and show him firsthand what this region is building,” said Don Hendrickson, Executive Director of OMIC R&D. “Small and mid-sized manufacturers are the backbone of Oregon’s industrial economy, and the SBA’s strong interest and support mean a great deal to us and to the companies we serve. Having the SBA, Business Oregon, Oregon Tech, OMEP, and PCC in one room is a working demonstration of the kind of partnership it takes to help these businesses adopt new technology and grow.” Briggs is the second highest-ranking SBA official to visit OMIC in October, national Manufacturing Month. SBA Office of Capital Access Associate Administrator Thomas Kimsey toured OMIC R&D and met with local business owners and management on October13.
Participants also included SBA Chief Operating Officer Robin Wright, SBA Regional Administrator Kelly Chambers and SBA Portland District Director Bryan Zulko; Danielle Alexander and Colin Sears of Business Oregon; Mike Vanier, President of Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP); Patty Hawkins, Manufacturing Program Dean at Portland Community College, and Joseph Wyno of the Oregon UAS Accelerator; and representatives from Oregon Tech; and former Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson, an OMIC R&D Advisory Board member, who was instrumental in establishing OMIC R&D in Columbia County and continues to champion the center’s future. Briggs and his team also met directly with OMIC interns conducting real-world testing on breakthrough uncrewed aerial systems and supply chain technologies.
OMIC R&D, a part of Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech), holds a Center of Innovation Excellence (CIE) designation from Business Oregon for its additive manufacturing outreach to Oregon small and mid-sized enterprises. In addition to the CBAM25, the center’s additive capabilities include laser powder bed fusion, cold spray, binder jet, and wire arc additive manufacturing, alongside its subtractive machining center.