The Spokesman-Review newspaper reported Sunday that a federal government funding package passed by the U.S. Senate included provisions that could make up to $70 million available to the Spokane Aerospace Tech Hub.

The Tech Hub is a consortium of private companies, government agencies and schools hoping to establish the Inland Northwest as the country's preeminent location for manufacturing advanced composite materials like those required by the aerospace industries. Gonzaga is one of the leaders of the consortium, working alongside Lakeside Industries and others.

While the ultimate amount of funding that might end up with the Spokane Aerospace Tech Hub is yet to be determined, Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell called the Senate's action "great news for the Spokane tech hub" in a statement quoted by the Spokesman-Review article.

"It means that there will now be a serious investment in the composite advances we need for our defense, NASA, and aviation competitiveness," Cantwell said. "The creation of this consortium that is now eligible for these funds is a huge milestone for the Spokane region."

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