During his visit to the University Wednesday, President Barack Obama announced a $140 million electronic-manufacturing initiative comprised of universities and companies, which will be led by N.C. State.
Speaking to an audience of about 2,000 people in the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center, Obama said the creation of the Next Generation Power Electronics Institute, which will be housed on Centennial Campus, will bring together universities, such as N.C. State, and private businesses to innovate new technologies and provide thousands of new jobs.
“I don’t want the next big job-creating discovery and research and technology to be in Germany or China or Japan.” Obama said. “I want it to be right here in the United States of America. I want it to be right here in North Carolina.”
The program contains a $70 million grant from the Department of Energy, the largest research contract in the University’s history, which will be distributed during the next five years, according to Terri Lomax, vice chancellor for research and economic development at N.C. State.
The consortium will also include Arizona State University, Florida State University, the University of California at Santa Barbara and Virginia Tech, as well as 18 companies.
Lomax said another $70 million will be generated by businesses, universities and the state.
Keeping consistent with many of his previous speeches, Obama spoke about opening the door to the middle class for more Americans.
“The hub to spark the technology and research that will create the new industries, the good jobs required for folks to punch their tickets in the middle class, and that’s what America’s all about,” Obama said.
Obama said he will do what he can to speed up economic recovery.
“This has to be a year of action.” Obama said. “Where I can act on my own without Congress, I’m going to do so. And today I’m here to act.”
In last year’s State of the Union address, Obama emphasized the benefits of a strong manufacturing sector.
In his speech Wednesday, Obama talked about the future of power electronics and the advancements that would be made in energy-efficiency with a type of technology called Wide Bandgap Semiconductors.
According to Lomax, WBG semiconductors allow an electronic device to operate at higher temperatures, voltages and frequencies, which will lead to a reduction in energy consumption.
In May, the president’s administration launched a competition to decide which universities would be awarded as one of three advanced manufacturing institutes, Lomax said.
Lomax said the University’s strong partnerships with private and public entities, as well as a rich history in the study of semiconductor engineering, made it a strong candidate.
The Institute’s main goal will be to bring together public and private partnerships to develop new products using already established research, Lomax said.
Obama said that two additional institutes, which will conduct research concerning digital design and manufacturing and advanced lightweight metals, will be announced in the coming weeks.
In his speech, Obama also mentioned that Congress has yet to pass an extension of long-term federal unemployment benefits for those who need it. Obama pointed to North Carolina’s jobless rate as an example.
“Folks aren’t looking for a handout, Obama said. “They’re not looking for special treatment. There are a lot of people who are sending our resumes every single day, but the market – the job market is still tough in pockets around the country, and people need support, a little help, so they can look after their families while they’re looking for a new job.”
Senator Kay Hagan, a Democrat who faces a tough bid for reelection this year and has received criticism from North Carolina GOP leaders for her support of the Affordable Care Act, was noticeably absent for the event—although Obama did thank her publicly for her work.
