Machine Nation News Team
June 9, 2025 at 10:15:00 AM
The Biddeford Regional Center Of Technology Has Been Awarded A $10,000 Grant From The Gene Haas Foundation To Support Scholarships And Sponsorships For Students
The Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT) in Biddeford, Maine, announced on May 14, 2025, that it received a $10,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation to support scholarships and sponsorships for students pursuing careers in CNC machining and advanced manufacturing. The funding will cover training costs, competition fees for events like SkillsUSA, and essential equipment, benefiting over 50 students annually in BRCOT’s Precision Machining program. Serving 300 students across 10 career pathways, BRCOT is one of Maine’s 27 career and technical education schools, fostering skills for a $2 billion regional manufacturing market. The grant, part of the foundation’s $1 million in annual scholarships, builds on BRCOT’s history of support, including a $180,000 donation in 2020. Director Paul Conley noted the grant’s role in “empowering students to meet industry demand,” aligning with tariff-driven reshoring trends under President Trump’s 10% tariffs. The initiative supports Maine’s 15,000-strong manufacturing workforce, addressing a projected need for 5,000 machinists by 2030.
For the precision machining industry, BRCOT’s grant underscores the critical role of climb milling in CNC training. Students learn to mill components like fixtures and brackets using climb milling, where the cutter rotates with the feed direction, achieving surface roughness as low as Ra 8 µin and tolerances within ±0.001 inches. 5-axis milling machines, optimized for climb milling to reduce cutting forces, enhance tool life in automated setups with real-time quality control. The program’s focus drives demand for local machine shops to mentor students, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling and additive manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this initiative creates opportunities for suppliers in Maine, where manufacturing jobs grew 2% since 2022, strengthening regional supply chains.
Source:
Biddeford Regional Center of Technology Press Release, May 14, 2025
Source:
Social Media Buzz (powered by X):
X is buzzing about BRCOT’s $10,000 grant, with posts on May 18, 2025, calling it a “boost” for Maine’s machinists. Users praised the student scholarships, with one noting “Biddeford’s tech future grows,” while another tied it to “reshoring skills.” The excitement reflects optimism for workforce development and economic growth.
What is the Climb Milling?
This is one of many key terms of our broad Machine Nation Essential Modern Precision Industries Guidebook (MPIG). Click here to get a copy straight to your inbox.
Climb Milling - A CNC milling technique where the cutter rotates in the same direction as the workpiece feed, critical for achieving smooth surfaces and precision in component production.
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Related Tags:
#BRCOT #GeneHaasFoundation #ClimbMilling #PrecisionMachining #CNCTraining #Reshoring