HARC was awarded a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) to support the Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) network and help small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) improve their energy efficiency. This funding is part of a broader $16 million initiative aimed at expanding workforce development and improving the energy and cost efficiency of the manufacturing sector across the country.
The ITAC Program supports universities, colleges, community colleges, trade schools, and union training programs in conducting no-cost energy assessments at manufacturing facilities. These assessments help identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs, improve productivity, enhance reliability and competitiveness, and lower environmental impact. As the Mission Integrator for the ITAC network, HARC plays a key role in ensuring that centers across the country are well-supported and connected in their efforts to advance energy-efficient manufacturing practices.
HARC leads the development of a national platform that connects technical experts with SMMs, empowering them to implement energy-efficient manufacturing solutions. To strengthen the ITAC network, HARC is:
Additionally, HARC coordinates ITAC efforts to establish a reference energy efficiency and workforce development information hub for ITACs and SMMs, as well as mentoring and training ITAC staff to maximize efficiency in using the resources within the program.
These initiatives are designed to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient manufacturing practices across varied industries, reducing energy costs, and enhancing the competitiveness and reliability of the U.S. manufacturing sector.
