Biden-Harris Admin Unveils $504M for 12 U.S. Tech Hubs

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a funding round of approximately $504 million in implementation grants through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The grants will be distributed to 12 Tech Hubs aimed at scaling up the production of critical technologies and creating jobs in innovative industries. The funding is part of a broader effort to enhance U.S. economic competitiveness and national security and accelerate the growth of future industries.

The Tech Hubs Program is a key initiative of President Biden’s administration to invest in and strengthen local economies across the United States. According to Vice President Kamala Harris, the investment aims to provide opportunities to communities that have historically been overlooked, including rural, Tribal, industrial, and disadvantaged areas. The program focuses on sharing the benefits of emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, and biotechnology with these communities.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo highlighted that the program helps maintain America’s leadership in critical emerging tech sectors. The initiative is part of President Biden’s agenda to create high-quality, family-sustaining jobs in various regions by leveraging diverse talents and resources nationwide. The selected 12 Tech Hubs will receive their funding amounts, which will be finalized in the coming months.

In October 2023, President Biden announced the selection of 31 Tech Hubs Designees. The current funding round will support implementation projects in 12 of these Hubs, each focusing on different technology areas ranging from quantum information technology to sustainable polymers. The program, authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, aims to boost U.S. manufacturing and global competitiveness.

Tech Hubs implementation awardees are:

• • Elevate Quantum Tech Hub (Colorado, New Mexico)
    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 Focus: 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