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Governor Lamont announces creation of an innovation cluster program to support growth in cutting-edge industries

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Press releases

Governor Ned Lamont

May 29, 2024

Governor Lamont announces creation of an innovation cluster program to support growth in cutting-edge industries

The new state program will provide strategic investments of up to $100 million

(HARTFORD, Conn.) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced the creation of the Connecticut Innovation Clusters Program, a $100 million initiative designed to support the continued development of key sectors of Connecticut’s economy, including biotechnology, financial technology, insurance technology and advanced manufacturing in support of national defense .

Administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), this program will spur private and public investment to support the use of next-generation technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, to accelerate innovation in high-growth clusters where Connecticut has demonstrated competitive advantage.

“Connecticut has the best-educated and best-trained workforce in the country, which is the most important resource needed to conceive, develop and produce cutting-edge products and services that disrupt industries and enable businesses to thrive.” Governor Lamont said. “We are the home of innovation and with this new program we can support the development of sectors that drive job creation and technological progress.”

The country is well-positioned to tap into the next frontier of technology development thanks to its recent launch QuantumCT – a coalition including UConn, Yale, Connecticut State and others that provides the thought leadership and strategic planning necessary to ensure that Connecticut reaps the economic benefits of emerging technologies in the years ahead.

“Connecticut has a rich history of innovation, and the launch of QuantumCT and the innovation cluster program clearly demonstrates our focus on the future and how local development of cutting-edge technologies can help shape the future of our strategically important industries.” said DECD Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe. “Through the Innovation Clusters Program, the state will invest alongside the private sector in high-impact, technology-enabled projects that directly connect to our core economic strengths. This program will help accelerate the adoption of new technologies, improve competitiveness, train the workforce of our future, and increase the vitality of host communities and surrounding regions.”

The Innovation Clusters Program will prioritize funding for catalytic capital projects that contribute to the development of a coherent sense of place on campus, that complement the state’s existing transportation investments, and place a strong emphasis on workforce training, economic development, neighborhood vitality, and regional stakeholder collaboration.

Other funding criteria include:

  • Leveraging partnerships with local businesses, universities and nonprofit institutions to maximize investment;
  • Attracting and developing talents;
  • Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts; AND
  • Delivering local improvements through community contracts.

DECD will issue a request for information (RFI) on June 3, 2024 and expects awards to be issued on an ongoing basis.

More information about the program can be found on the website portal.ct.gov/decd/content/community-development/03_funding_opportunities/capital-infrastructure-grants/innovation-clusters.

Twitter: @GovNedLamont

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