The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), together with the research initiative America Makes, has announced the establishment of the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense. The hub will be led by engineer and materials scientist Dr. Megan Malara. The new center aims to position Northeast Ohio as a leading site for research, development, and industrial implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly in the field of 3D printing.
The innovation hub will receive 26 million US dollars in funding from the State of Ohio’s innovation program, complemented by an additional 36 million from local, state, and private sources. Its focus areas include additive manufacturing, digital production, and the development of resilient supply chains for the aerospace and defense industries.
“Megan brings a powerful combination of technical expertise, policy experience, and industry leadership to this role,” said Jim Fisher, COO and Vice President at NCDMM. “Her vision and track record of impact will help us accelerate innovation at scale, strengthening defense supply chains, fueling workforce development, and positioning Youngstown as a national leader in advanced manufacturing.”
Dr. Malara previously served as Director of the Division for Medical Modeling, Materials and Manufacturing (M4) at The Ohio State University, where she led interdisciplinary teams developing additive manufacturing solutions for the medical field. She also worked as a Legislative Fellow in the U.S. Congress, advising on science and technology policy matters.
The Youngstown Innovation Hub builds on the long-standing work of America Makes, which for over a decade has served as the nation’s reference center for additive manufacturing and has managed more than 400 million US dollars in funding. The new facility aims to create stronger links between research, education, and industrial application. With this initiative, Ohio positions itself as a key player in the U.S. strategy to strengthen technological sovereignty and modern manufacturing capabilities.
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