Guam is ready to build an advanced manufacturing industry that can grow to supply parts not just for the U.S. military, but for various commercial industries across Asia. That’s according to a manufacturing policy think tank that broke ground on Guam’s first advanced manufacturing hub in Dededo today.

"Today is the day Guam joins the ranks of all 50 states establishing a supplier of manufactured submarine parts for the United States Navy," said Neal Orringer, president of Applied Science & Technology Research Organization (ASTRO) of America. 3D printed submarine parts could be made right here in Guam as soon as the end of next year, according to the executive.

The non-profit organization is leading the Guam Advanced Material & Manufacturing Accelerator (GAMMA), Guam’s first advanced manufacturing hub. Orringer explained, "We are here to build a Guam based factory that’s going to make parts made in Guam. We're going to help students from Guam become mechanical engineers and we are going to help them get employed. And we are going to start making advanced metal parts first for the Navy, for the submarine force and possibly for other industries."

A groundbreaking and blessing ceremony was held at the Dededo facility on Thursday, with prototypes on display. It’s a collaboration between the Government of Guam and the U.S. Navy five years in the making that’s expected to strengthen both military defense and Guam’s economy.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero says the new industry will create jobs, train students, and streamline the supply chain, noting, "From training, to production, to sustainment, to the future and even to go on outside the fence to provide parts for cars. How many times do our ambulances go down and we can’t get the parts quickly enough for the ambulances to get back on those streets?"

"It’s going to be a key player in many, many of our production and materials that we need."

While the 8,000-square foot GAMMA Application Center was still empty on Thursday, Orringer says it will soon house high tech equipment that can create critical components on demand. "If we can start doing just in time manufacturing here in Guam, it's going to change everything," he said.

"And as we start having some successes with the Navy, we’re going to move to other industries as well. That's why Guam, because Guam is ready for this, we have incredible people here, we have really determined and intelligent students and we are ready to move to the next stage."

The project is currently in Phase I. He says construction will continue through early 2026, with phased operations beginning soon after.