Senator Cardin visits RAMP MD partner DWE Plastics

Senator Cardin came to Harford County to hold a roundtable discussion on Additive Manufacturing with the business community. RAMP MD was the event organizer and DWE Plastics was the host at its new facility in Belcamp.

DWE Plastics was the ideal example to show Senator Cardin how a business can benefit from a private-public partnership. Approximately 70 people attended the event, to include DWE staff members, many RAMP MD Joint Work Statement holders, and representatives from Army Research Lab, ECBC, Maryland Department of Commerce, and community organizations.

Much of the discussion revolved around education and workforce topics, because that is one of the challenges the business community is facing and one of the opportunities in front of community colleges and school systems. Examples of college pathways and certifications were discussed and a clear need in our community was identified for industrial design coursework and apprenticeships.

Conversation also included recounting the opportunities in front of northern Maryland: that within a 30-40 mile radius of Aberdeen Proving Ground, we have all components and capabilities needed for a thriving additive manufacturing community, and this co-location of capabilities is unique in the United States. RAMP MD plays an important role and we need to add more fuel to the fire to create a unified national capability.

See photos from the event on FLICKR.