The Biden administration, through the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced today $504 million in implementation grants for a dozen technology hubs across the country as part of the second phase of the Tech Hubs program.
The Tech Hubs program – authorized as part of the CHIPS and Science Act – aims to develop clusters of businesses, communities, and higher education institutions focused on accelerating technology deployment across America.
The Commerce Department announced the 31 Tech Hubs in October as part of Phase 1 of the program. The Phase 2 project implementation funds announced today narrowed that list of 31 winners to 12.
If subsequent funding becomes available, EDA said it plans to invest in additional Tech Hubs. The demand for funding was high in Phase 2 – the 31 hubs sent a collective request of $2 billion in funding to compete for some of the approximately $500 million available.
“Today’s announcement that the Department of Commerce is investing $504 million in Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs across the country will ensure that the benefits of the industries of the future – from artificial intelligence and clean energy, to biotechnology and more – are shared with communities that have been overlooked for far too long, including rural, Tribal, industrial, and disadvantaged communities,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a press release.
“These Tech Hubs will give regions across our nation the resources and opportunities necessary to lead in the economy of tomorrow while creating good-paying jobs for American workers,” she added.
The 12 Tech Hubs receiving funding in Phase 2 include:
- Elevate Quantum Tech Hub in Colorado and New Mexico ($41 million)
- Headwaters Hub in Montana ($41 million)
- Heartland BioWorks in Indiana ($51 million)
- iFAB Tech Hub in Illinois ($51 million)
- Nevada Tech Hub in Nevada ($21 million)
- NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub in New York ($40 million)
- ReGen Valley Tech Hub in New Hampshire ($44 million)
- SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy in South Carolina and Georgia ($45 million)
- South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub in Florida ($19 million)
- Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub in Ohio ($51 million)
- Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy in Oklahoma ($51 million)
- Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub in Wisconsin ($49 million)
Notably, Tech Hubs that did not receive funding include the Baltimore Tech Hub and the PROPEL Tech Hub – which would serve the Philadelphia, Camden, and Wilmington areas – among others.
The CHIPS and Science Act authorized $10 billion for the program over five years. To date, Congress has provided EDA with $541 million for the program.
“Thanks to President Biden’s commitment to his investing in America agenda, these 12 Tech Hubs will play a critical role in accelerating America’s leadership in the industries of the future, all while creating high quality, family-sustaining 21st century jobs in people’s backyards,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said.
“We’re excited to see this initial round of implementation funding supporting a surge of new jobs, new technologies, and new energy to bolster America’s competitiveness,” added Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo.
