YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A report released Monday by a team of Northeast Ohio technology organizations highlighted the region's current strengths and future paths forward in additive manufacturing.

The study, titled "Asset Map of Additive Manufacturing Opportunities in Northeast Ohio", was conducted by the Youngstown Business Incubator, America Makes, Team Northeast Ohio, and the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network.

Additive manufacturing, often known as 3-D printing, is typically used for direct parts production, prototyping, and tooling. 

YBI representatives say the study's goal was to create a plan to make additive manufacturing a key part of Northeast Ohio's economy.

In particular, the study investigated whether Northeast Ohio could support an additive manufacturing cluster.  According to YBI, a cluster is a concentration of interconnected businesses and associated institutions in a particular industry.

Northeast Ohio, according to the study, has cluster potential by being home to more than 2,000 companies that produce or process metal, plastic, and rubber. 

Team NEO Industry and Innovation Vice President Tim Fahey added that, "When you couple those facts with the rich design and engineering resources we have in our universities such as the University of Akron, Case Western Reserve University, and Youngstown State University, the region has an opportunity to not only be at the center of the supply chain for additive manufacturing, but to also produce the leaders of this design transformation."

After identifying materials, product manufacture, and design engineering as regional strengths, the report laid out an implementation plan for Northeast Ohio tech companies.

The plan chiefly calls for the groups at the forefront of Ohio's additive manufacturing wave to work together in an effort to advance regional competitiveness and job growth.

About the path forward, YBI COO Barb Ewing said that, "By engaging with the other economic development organizations, colleges and universities, government and industry, we can create the atmosphere that we need to support the industry - and create sustainable jobs and wealth in our communities."

Formal education and workforce training initiatives are also highlighted as part of the implementation plan.

The report's authors say that placing such a strong emphasis on design and engineering development should help increase talent retainment in the region.

If all goes according to plan, the report says Northeast Ohio can be established as the central point of Midwestern additive manufacturing technology.  

Research for the report began in November 2015 and was completed this July.

The entire report can be read below: