The New England states of Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island received a joint grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to create The New England Regional Defense Industry Collaboration (NERDIC). The State of Vermont Department of Economic Development (VTDED), acts as the fiscal agent for the New England Regional Defense industry Collaboration (NERDIC) project

The New England Regional Defense Industry Collaboration coordinates the growth of defense-related businesses across the New England region. The goal of the New England Regional Defense Industry Collaboration is to build a resilient regional industry ecosystem that assists small and medium defense-related manufacturers (SMEs) across New England in meeting contracting requirements, achieve certifications, qualify for and ultimately gain capabilities that will allow them to be stronger participants in the defense-related manufacturing supply chain. Success depends on supplier participation in a broad industry system which assists in overcoming the existing impediments created by an increasingly complex manufacturing environment and allowing these businesses to successfully navigate the complex requirements of the US Department of Defense and its contractors. The primary objective of the New England Regional Defense Industry Collaboration is to build an ecosystem that proffers Industry 4.0 readiness, creates network connections that facilitate rapid responses and enhances capacity in the manufacturing supply chain.

NERDIC was formed in late 2017, as an applicant for a grant with the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of EconomicAdjustment (OEA), now known as the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC). The initial joint discussions which lead to the formation of the collaboration, identified that the six states of New England face similar challenges in theirefforts to support and promote the defense industry diversification and strengthening. The initial grant period was from January 2018 to June 2019. With adjustments made due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the initial project concluded in December 2021. Phase 2 of the project is commencing in early 2022.

NERDIC brings a range of benefits to the six state New England Region. NERDIC is focused on:

• Building a regional collaboration and multidisciplinary approach that takes a full regional ‘ecosystem approach’ involving multiple partners.
• Building a viable pathway to sustainability.
• Delivering work programs focusing on Cybersecurity, Defense Sector Readiness and Workforce Development
• Addressing emergent critical needs – creating regional readiness for ‘future technology’, including industry 4.0 technologies and compatible workforce skills.
• Delivering efforts that target and support small and medium manufacturers, especially in traditionally underserved parts of the supply chain that are most vulnerable to falling behind in technology and security. The overall result will be a future ready region, that have the mechanisms to build capacity and capability in important technologies, cyber-security and workforce skills.