About the Guam Accelerator Project

The Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) commissioned ASTRO America to conduct a 12-month assessment on the viability of establishing industrial additive manufacturing capabilities in Guam. The initiative is currently in the second phase.

Phase 1 focuses on assessing economic readiness, including:

  1. assessing current capabilities and needs for supply chain development;
  2. potential strategies for developing such a workforce and capabilities;
  3. potential demand, including U.S. Government stakeholders.
Click here to read Phase 1 Baseline Additive Manufacturing (AM) Readiness Report
Phase 1 Update

Phase 1 is now complete. In April 2023, ASTRO America and the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) released a Baseline Additive Manufacturing (AM) Readiness Report highlighting that Guam has the basic building blocks for establishing a high-tech manufacturing sector on the island.

Several Guam-based entities contributed to ASTRO America’s preliminary analysis, culminating in a workshop on: 1) composition of industrial AM capabilities and 2) on island conditions that may be re-configured to sustain AM operations.

Ultimately, ASTRO found that the building blocks are in place and an initiative would build off existing elements on-island. In fact, it appears likely that if sufficient funding were made available, such conditions could materialize to support a sustainable, productive 3D printing sector. Having factory-ready 3D printing capabilities could address both logistical challenges for U.S. Armed Forces and support the island’s economic goals to increase transshipment of parts to the continental United States and other parts of the Indo-Pacific.

The report further proposes the development of three related facilities to build AM capabilities on-island. They would be configured to leverage assistance and sponsorship from outside institutions, including external universities, U.S. and Allied governments, and industry, as follows:

1. A Research and Test Center supporting prototyping capabilities as well as advanced quality inspection (e.g. metallography lab) to validate part production for use by DoD and other stakeholders.

2. A ‘Business Incubator’ would provide a setting for existing contract additive manufacturers and start-ups to re-locate assets in Guam. The facility could host both 3D printers and post-processing equipment, under a shared infrastructure arrangement potentially supported by government.

3. An integrated approach to education and technical skills training to enable long-term sustainability of this effort in Guam.

The report can be found here.

The release can be found here.

Phase 2 focuses on planning implementation, including:

  1. analysis of potential demand for Guam-based additive manufacturing; 
  2. assessment of supply chain requirements for developing such capacity;
  3. executable solution for corresponding workforce development and long-term sustainable growth.
Phase 2 Update

ASTRO America is currently working with the Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans to complete Phase 2 of the feasibility study, which will focus on developing an implementation plan to establish an ecosystem tailored to distinct AM requirements as well as unique economic and geo-political conditions on Guam. It is expected to be completed in Fall 2023.

Phase 3 focuses on implementation

Phase 3 Update

The initiative is currently in the second phase.

Media and Other Project Resources