Each identified regional centers are primed for technological innovation and job creation
The Biden-Harris administration has put great focus on U.S. competitiveness as seen through the bipartisan passed CHIPS and Science Act. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced a major implementation of that legislation with the designation of 31 Tech Hubs in regions across the country—that will receive direct investments to make them into globally competitive innovation centers.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo touted the initiative for the job creation that will occur in each region as a result of the U.S. investment in the “industries of the future”.
“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,” said Secretary Raimondo.
Focus is on Industries of the Future
The Tech Hubs are located across 32 states and Puerto Rico, while covering a range of industries that includes autonomous systems, quantum computing, biotechnology, precision medicine, clean energy advancement, semiconductor manufacturing, and more. By designating these regions, the EDA is endorsing of each region’s plans as to how they will “supercharge their respective technological industries to create jobs, strengthen U.S. competitiveness, and protect national security”.
Nearly 400 applications from regional consortia were submitted that included industry, academia, state and local governments, economic development organizations, and labor and workforce partners. Each applicant as part of the Tech Hubs competition outlined their plans for strengthening its region’s capacity for manufacturing, commercializing and deploying critical technologies.
Three of the EDA designated 31 Tech Hubs with their industry focus
South Florida Climate Resilience Tech Hub – sustainable and climate resilient infrastructure, Miami Dade County Innovation and Economic Development Office
NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub – end-to-end semiconductor manufacturing in New York, CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity
Heartland BioWorks – biologics manufacturing in Indiana, Applied Research Institute
In the next stage of this regional innovation initiative, the Department of Commerce launched a second Tech Hubs Notice of Funding Opportunity. The designated 31 Tech Hubs can apply to receive between $40 million and $70 million each as part of implementation funding that totals approximately $500 million.
Another Job Creation Initiative under the Chips and Science Act
The NSF also launched an initiative for regional economic development, but with a different approach, but will support the 31 designated Tech Hubs. They created Regional Innovation Engines that focus on building innovation ecosystems in 44 designated locations around the U.S.
