Over $100M secured in federal funding for Defense Appropriations Bill

Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13), the Vice Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, has secured $100 million in federal funding for research and development initiatives that he says could benefit Northeast Ohio businesses and universities.
The funding can be used for additive manufacturing, hypersonics, advanced industrial coatings, and renewable energy technologies, and other programs to improve the safety and lethality of the military.
Also included in the bill is a 2.7% pay raise for troops and significant funds to improve military housing.
The bill is expected to pass out of the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday evening.
"This bill not only ensures our servicemembers have the resources they need to protect us abroad, it also takes a big step forward as we build the economy of the future right here in the United States. This critical funding will help us maintain our competitive edge in research and development and grow local jobs," said Congressman Ryan. "Additionally, this bill goes a long way to countering both Russia and China, which have proven time after time that they are bad actors on the global stage. I've always been a champion of a strong national defense, and that begins with the resources we invest here at home."
Defense funding bill highlights include:
Additive Manufacturing Research and Development – $25.5 million in research and development funding for large-scale additive manufacturing development, additive manufacturing training programs, and additive manufacturing supply chain development. Youngstown, Ohio is home to America Makes and a burgeoning additive manufacturing business cluster.
Exploitation Detection for Flexible Combat Avionics – $5 million in funding for developing critical technologies for cyber security and resilience of Air Force avionics and weapon systems. The University of Akron has a robust research and development program in this field and won contracts for prior years' funding of flexible combat avionics.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Development – $10 million build the power architecture necessary to support the next generation of combat vehicles.
Adoption of Industry 4.0 Technology in the Defense Supply Chain – $6 million to assist tool and die makers transition to 3D-printed molds. Youngstown State University was the recipient of prior funding for this topic.
Liquid Hydrogen Refueling Systems – $10 million in research and development funding to enable improvements in producibility and affordability of emerging and enabling components of Army platforms.
Pressure Zero Army Tire Manufacturing – $5 million in research and development of technology that replaces current run-flat inserts inside military tires for both manned and unmanned-Autonomous vehicles.
Recovery of Rare Earth Metals from Electronic Waste - $2 million in funding to research and develop technology for efficiently recovering rare earth metals from circuit board and other electronic waste.