{"id":14039,"date":"2026-05-27T11:51:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T15:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legacy.webpublishing.oit.ncsu.edu\/ies\/?page_id=14039"},"modified":"2026-05-27T12:26:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T16:26:47","slug":"smarter-nc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/legacy.webpublishing.oit.ncsu.edu\/ies\/smarter-nc\/","title":{"rendered":"SMARTER NC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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SMARTER<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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NC<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\"About\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
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\n\"SMARTER\n\n\n\n
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Through a federal grant from the Department of Energy, we can provide financial assistance to small- to medium-sized manufacturers to offset non-equipment costs associated with adopting and integrating relevant SMART technology.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Applicant Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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01<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Interest Webinar
<\/strong>Watch the introductory webinar to learn about the SMARTER NC program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"SMARTER\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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02<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fill Out an Application
<\/strong>Fill out a SMARTER NC application. Scan the code to start or use weblink<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"SMARTER\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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03<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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View Applicant Webinar
<\/strong>You will receive an email with a link to the mandatory applicant webinar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"SMARTER\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
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04<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Express Further Interest
<\/strong>Email us to confirm interest in developing a reimbursable project:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

smarternc_info@ncsu.edu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\"SMARTER\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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05<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Receive Site Assessment
<\/strong>We will reach out to schedule an onsite project readiness assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"SMARTER\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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06<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Develop Project Proposal
<\/strong>Once you pass the readiness assessment, receive a SMARTER NC project proposal worksheet, attend a 20-minute project proposal planning session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"SMARTER\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\"SMARTER<\/a>\n\n\n\n
\nVIEW VIDEO<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nDOWNLOAD FLYER<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Benefits of Smart Manufacturing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Improved efficiency<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smart factories can monitor equipment performance and automate complex processes, improving accuracy and reducing human error.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Increased productivity<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smart factories can use data to identify issues, such as when a machine is slowing down production and then use artificial intelligence systems to resolve them.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Long-term cost savings<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smart factories can use predictive maintenance to identify potential problems early and address them at a convenient time, which can save money.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Greater flexibility<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smart factories can scale production quickly to meet changing demand and can customize products to meet specific customer needs.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How the program works:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\"Step\n\n\n\n
\n

Small-to-medium-sized manufacturers (less than 500 employees) in North Carolina will complete a short application (approximate time to complete is 10 minutes) to determine if their company is ready to participate in the program. ncstateies.com\/sncapp<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nSUBMIT AN APPLICATION<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\"Step\n\n\n\n
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The SMARTER NC team will review applications. 100 initially qualified companies selected to participate will receive an initial walkthrough viability assessment. Assessment includes verification of application items, confirmation of production systems and collection of information concerning current and future commitments to smart manufacturing*.

*Important: The company should assign a smart manufacturing project decision-maker.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\"Step\n\n\n\n
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From the initial 100 assessments, 75 small-to-medium-sized manufacturers will be approved to receive comprehensive smart manufacturing technical assessments to help develop implementation project ideas and strategies. Results will be shared with the company to assist with their engagements with 3rd party integrators for a project solution plan and cost proposal.

Project solution plan and cost proposal are to be submitted SMARTER NC for approval of any reimbursements prior to project start. 50 projects will be approved for partial reimbursement of some project non-equipment costs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\"Step\n\n\n\n
\n

The SMARTER NC team will review the quote and agree to reimburse a matching level of non-equipment costs including integration and training expenses. Note: Participating companies must provide matching investment of at least 30% of project cost. Example: For a $20,000 smart manufacturing implementation project, SMARTER NC can approve reimbursement of up to $14,000. Maximum reimbursement to any company project is $25,000. Average reimbursements are expected to be ~$13,000.

Company completes the approved project with 3rd party and submits the agreed to reimbursement amount for payment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

To receive SMARTER NC reimbursement funds, approved applicants must:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Submit a detailed cost proposal for the SMARTER NC project subject to reimbursement including itemized labor and materials expenditures<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This has replaced the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)number.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Have a procurement review process in place<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Complete an environmental questionnaire as required by DoE<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Receive documented evidence of approval by DOE and SMARTER NC<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Submit evidence of paid invoices for the approved and completed SMARTER NC project<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Complete approved SMARTER NC project and submit reimbursement request before March 15, 2027.<\/li>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Target Industries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    (but not limited to manufacturers in)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Biopharmaceutical<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Metal Fabrication<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Chemical and Polymer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Food and Beverage<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Automotive and Heavy Equipment Manufacturing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Textiles<\/li>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \nCONTACT US<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n\"US\n\n\n\n\"NC\n\n\n\n\"IES\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Acknowledgment: This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy under Award Number DE-MS0000030.

    Disclaimer: \u201cThis report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    SMARTER NC Through a federal grant from the Department of Energy, we can provide financial assistance to small- to medium-sized manufacturers to offset non-equipment costs associated with adopting and integrating … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":634,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14039","page","type-page","status-publish"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSMARTER NC - NC State University Industry Extension Services<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/legacy.webpublishing.oit.ncsu.edu\/ies\/smarter-nc\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"SMARTER NC - NC State University Industry Extension Services\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"SMARTER NC Through a federal grant from the Department of Energy, we can provide financial assistance to small- to medium-sized manufacturers to offset non-equipment costs associated with adopting and integrating ... 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