WHEN AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMES UP, YOU MIGHT THINK OF CALIFORNIA’S SILICON VALLEY–OR EVEN THE TEXAS HUBS OF AUSTIN AND DALLAS. YOU PROBABLY DON’T CONSIDER WYOMING.
BUT THAT’S WHERE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WANTS TECH INNOVATION TO HAPPEN–ALONG WITH IDAHO AND OHIO.
ON MONDAY, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED THIRTY-ONE REGIONAL TECH HUBS ACROSS THIRTY-TWO STATES AND PUERTO RICO. THEY’RE ELIGIBLE FOR FIVE-HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING, AVAILABLE THROUGH THE 20-22 CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT…
“A tech hub is where we are going to invest in critical technologies, like biotechnology, critical materials, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing. So the U.S. will lead the world again in Innovation across the board.”
THESE LOCATIONS WERE PICKED FROM A POOL OF THREE-HUNDRED-AND-SEVENTY APPLICANTS.
“It is unbelievable to me the quantity and quality of applications. We received almost 400 applications all of which were excellent from every state in the country and I have heard from University presidents, Senators, Congress people, governors all advocating for their Tech Hub.“
THE CHOSEN AREAS WILL COMPETE FOR UP TO SEVENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS EACH TO SCALE UP WORK IN EMERGING FIELDS. FROM SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTION…TO CLEAN ENERGY…TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY..
BIDEN ALSO HOPES THE FEDERAL FUNDING SPARKS MORE INVESTMENTS IN U.S. INNOVATION FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
ACCORDING TO THE U-S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, THE TECH HUB PROGRAM IS VITAL TO THE FUTURE OF AMERICA.
“Tech hubs helps ensure that industries of the future start, grow, and remain in the U.S. creating and expanding good jobs opportunities in emerging technology fields. Your community’s participation in tech hubs is a part of both our national economic and national security strategies.”
BIDEN HOPES THE PROGRAM WILL SPREAD QUALITY JOBS IN THE TECH FIELD BEYOND THE CURRENT CAPITAL IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA AND INTO COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY FACTORY CLOSURES AS JOBS MOVED OVERSEAS…
Over the past few decades, these communities lost more than jobs. They lost a sense of — their sense of dignity, of opportunity, a sense of pride. We’re going to change all that. Tech hubs are going to bring this work to where people live in communities all across America.”
THE HUB DESIGNEES REACH PLACES LIKE OKLAHOMA, MONTANA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IDAHO, KANSAS, WYOMING, MISSOURI, ALABAMA, AND OHIO JUST TO NAME A FEW.
IN PHASE TWO OF THE PROGRAM, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION WILL AWARD FIVE TO TEN OF THE THIRTY-ONE HUBS WITH FORTY TO SEVENTY MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF GRANTS…