Across Appalachia, the energy transition is creating new opportunities for manufacturers. From data centers and hydrogen to solar, nuclear, and advanced materials, the region is emerging as a critical hub for the technologies driving America’s energy future.
Catalyst Connection’s Energy and Manufacturing in Appalachia (EMA) program helps manufacturers understand, prepare for, and participate in this transformation. Through detailed research, industry engagement, and targeted training, EMA connects the dots between traditional manufacturing capabilities and the evolving energy ecosystem.
At the heart of the EMA initiative is a growing library of Energy Industry Reports, each providing deep insights into emerging energy markets and their supply chains. These reports—available at Energy Segments—highlight where manufacturing opportunity meets market demand across key sectors:
AI Data Centers: Exploring how the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is driving new demand for power generation, steel, cooling systems, and advanced electronics.
Nuclear Energy: Mapping the supply chain needs for small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced reactor components, from precision fabrication to control systems.
Hydrogen & Fuel Cells: Detailing production pathways, storage technologies, and infrastructure projects that depend on robust manufacturing capabilities.
Solar Energy: Identifying component manufacturing opportunities—from racking and inverters to domestic glass and aluminum production—as solar capacity scales toward 2026 and beyond.
Steel and Advanced Materials: Assessing how reindustrialization and infrastructure spending are strengthening the regional steel and specialty materials ecosystem.
Each report provides data-driven insight into market trends, supply chain opportunities, investment patterns, and policy influences—helping manufacturers anticipate future demand, diversify their customer base, and align with national energy priorities.
Together, they form a regional roadmap for growth—equipping Appalachian manufacturers to position themselves as suppliers to some of the fastest-growing energy markets in the nation.
Catalyst Connection continues to expand awareness through webinars, workshops, and industry discussions that help manufacturers connect knowledge to action.
Here’s what’s ahead:
November 14: From Application to Award: Mini Grant Workshop for Manufacturers
Learn how to navigate the process of securing project funding—from identifying opportunities to developing competitive proposals.
November 20: Energy Industry Overview: AI Data Centers & Steel Infrastructure
Examine how the rise of AI data centers is reshaping regional infrastructure and creating new steel and component manufacturing needs.
December 4: Manufacturing Momentum: Seizing Growth and Opportunity in Pennsylvania’s Plastics Supply Chain
Explore how the plastics sector can leverage innovation, sustainability, and circular economy principles to strengthen competitiveness.
December 18: Energy Industry Overview: Solar Supply Chain & 2026 Outlook
Gain perspective on the domestic solar industry’s rapid expansion and the manufacturing opportunities that will power its next phase.
Each session is designed to translate research into practical knowledge—helping companies identify where their expertise aligns with evolving energy supply chains.
The Energy and Manufacturing in Appalachia program is about more than research—it’s about regional resilience. By helping manufacturers understand where they fit in the energy transition, Catalyst Connection and its partners are enabling new investment, job creation, and industrial revitalization across Southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.
Whether you’re a manufacturer looking to enter a new energy market, a community leader exploring economic development strategies, or a policymaker focused on sustainable growth, the EMA program offers the tools, data, and partnerships to turn opportunity into impact.
Explore the reports and learn more at WeMakeItHere.org/Energy
Download the latest Energy Industry Reports: Energy Segments