The Biden administration has designated 31 technology hubs spanning 32 states and Puerto Rico with the aim of fostering innovation and job creation.
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - DECEMBER 11: U.S. President-elect Joe Biden speaks during an event to announce new cabinet nominations at the Queen Theatre on December 11, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware.
Tech Hubs Program
The announcement was made through the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) as part of the inaugural phase of the Tech Hubs program.
This initiative, integral to President Biden's Investing in America agenda, seeks to bolster regional innovation by enhancing the capacity of areas to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy technology, ultimately advancing American competitiveness.
Authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, the Tech Hubs program addresses the critical need for regional innovation and employment opportunities.
The selected hubs are spread across urban and rural areas, signifying a diverse representation of regions aiming to invigorate their technological sectors.
These hubs are poised to focus on a range of industries including autonomous systems, quantum computing, biotechnology, clean energy, and semiconductor manufacturing.
The EDA has also granted 29 Strategy Development Grants (SDGs) to empower communities in their local coordination and planning efforts. This development is anticipated to enhance the competitiveness of the selected grantees for future Tech Hubs funding.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo emphasized, "President Biden's Investing in America agenda is rooted in policies that will empower the United States to out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world. Our Tech Hubs Program is fundamental to that mission and will supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments and creating 21st-century job opportunities in people's backyards."
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves also underscored the program's potential to boost U.S. manufacturing and global competitiveness, stating, "Innovation, cutting-edge research, and creativity can be found in every community across America."
Meanwhile, Director of the National Economic Council Lael Brainard highlighted the program's role in catalyzing technological advancements, creating centers of world-class innovation, manufacturing, and job opportunities.
Phase 1 Winners
The Phase 1 designees were selected from a pool of nearly 400 applications from regional consortia involving industry, academia, local governments, economic development organizations, and labor and workforce partners. Each consortium outlined comprehensive plans to enhance their region's technological capacity.
The Department of Commerce is set to initiate a second Tech Hubs Notice of Funding Opportunity, allowing designated Tech Hubs to apply for implementation funding ranging from $40 million to $70 million each, amounting to a total of nearly $500 million.
These designated Tech Hubs span various industries, from autonomous systems and quantum computing to biotechnology, clean energy, and many more.
"These outstanding Tech Hubs Designees exemplify place-based economic development strategies at their best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo.
Check this link to see the full list of designees.
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