Tech Hubs Program Invests $504M In 12 New Sectors

AND Funding round of approximately $504 million in implementation grants to 12 tech hubs was announced by the Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). This investment aims to scale up the production of critical technologies, create jobs in innovative industries, strengthen US economic competitiveness and national security, and accelerate the growth of industries of the future in regions across the United States.

The Tech Hubs Program is a flagship initiative of President Biden’s Administration to invest in and grow the economies in communities across the country, advancing America’s global leadership in critical technologies, and strengthening national and economic security.

“Through the Tech Hubs program, we are maintaining our competitive edge by advancing America’s leadership in commercializing critical emerging tech sectors. And we’re leveraging the diverse talent and resources that currently exist across the country to achieve this goal,” said US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “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.”

“The 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. “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.”

President Biden announced the selection of 31 Tech Hubs Designees in October 2023. EDA has selected projects for funding in each of the 12 Hubs below, with award amounts to be finalized in the coming months.

Tech Hubs implementation awardees are:

• Elevate Quantum Tech Hub (Colorado, NM)
  Lead Agency: Elevate Quantum
  Technology Focus: quantum information technology
  Estimated Award Amount: $41 million
• Headwaters Hub (Montana)
  Lead Agency: Accelerate Montana
  Technology Focus: smart photonic sensor systems
  Estimated Award Amount: $41 million
• Heartland BioWorks (Indiana)
  Lead Agency: Applied Research Institute
  Technology Focus: biomanufacturing
  Estimated Award Amount: $51 million
• iFAB Tech Hub (Illinois)
  Lead Agency: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  Technology Focus: precision fermentation and biomanufacturing
  Estimated Award Amount: $51 million
• Nevada Tech Hub (Nevada)
  Lead Agency: University of Nevada, Reno
  Technology Focus: lithium batteries and electric vehicle materials
  Estimated Award Amount: $21 million
• NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub (New York)
  Lead Agency: CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity
  Technology Focus: semiconductor manufacturing
  Estimated Award Amount: $40 million
• ReGen Valley Tech Hub (New Hampshire)
  Lead Agency: Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute
  Technology Area: biofabrication
  Estimated Award Amount: $44 million
• SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (South Carolina, Georgia)
  Lead Agency: South Carolina Department of Commerce
  Technology Focus: clean energy supply chain
  Estimated Award Amount: $45 million
• South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub (Florida)
  Lead Agency: Miami Dade County Innovation and Economic Development Office
  Technology Focus: sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure
  Estimated Award Amount: $19 million
• Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub (Ohio)
  Lead Agency: Greater Akron Chamber
  Technology Focus: sustainable polymers
  Estimated Award Amount: $51 million
• Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy (Oklahoma)
  Lead Agency: Tulsa Innovation Labs
  Technology Focus: secure autonomous systems
  Estimated Award Amount: $51 million
• Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub (Wisconsin)
  Lead Agency: BioForward Wisconsin
  Technology Focus: personalized medicine
  Estimated Award Amount: $49 million

“The Department of Commerce is laser focused on expanding economic opportunity to every corner of this country,” said Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves. “The Tech Hubs program is committed to American economic prosperity and success. These 12 awardees embody the innovation and creativity that can be found nationwide, boosting US manufacturing and bolstering US global competitiveness, bringing President Biden’s Investing In America agenda to the forefront.”

Phase 1 of the program identified 31 Tech Hubs in geographically diverse, high-potential regions across the country with demonstrated expertise in emerging technology sectors. Collectively, these Tech Hubs secured well over a thousand commitments, attracting more than $4 billion in investment commitments and catalyzing meaningful public and institutional policy changes that support their strategies. In Phase 2, the Tech Hubs developed and proposed projects to propel their growth into globally recognized regions that produce and deliver the technologies of the future.

Overall, consortia membership grew by 50 percent since the Hubs were designated in October 2023, and over a third of consortia members are industry partners, demonstrating strong community support. If subsequent funding is available, EDA plans to invest in additional Tech Hubs, keeping this innovative program’s momentum going for decades to come.

The Tech Hubs Program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law in August 2022. The statute authorized $10 billion for the program over five years. To date, EDA has been appropriated $541 million for the program.

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