- The Department of Commerce’s Tech Hub program has allocated $210M to six regions, the first such grants for these areas.
- The hubs aim to advance critical technologies, including aerospace materials, AI-driven biotechnology, microfluidics, and sustainable biomaterials.
- This funding is part of a broader initiative, supported by the Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA, which could funnel an additional $280M into the program.
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is amplifying its commitment to US innovation with a $210M injection into the Tech Hub program, as reported by GlobeSt.
The funding is part of a broader effort to bolster emerging industries crucial for economic competitiveness and national security.
Strings Attached
The grants are part of the broader Tech Hub initiative, which was launched in October 2023, with 31 designated hubs across the nation.
The round of funding is the first to allocate implementation grants to six hubs that have shown promise in critical tech areas, including aerospace, biotech, and semiconductors.
Derived from the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the funding aligns with the administration’s push to maintain US tech leadership while addressing supply chain vulnerabilities and creating high-paying jobs.
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6 New Tech Hubs
The six new Tech Hubs receiving these implementation grants from the Dept. of Commerce each focus on a unique technology sector:
- American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub (Washington and Idaho)
Grant: $48 million
Focus: Advancing aerospace materials manufacturing, spearheaded by the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center. - Birmingham Biotechnology Hub (Alabama)
Grant: $44 million
Focus: Developing equitable, AI-driven biotechnology innovations, led by the Southern Research Institute. - Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub (Oregon)
Grant: $45 million
Focus: Cutting-edge microfluidics research, with Oregon State University taking the lead. - Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy (CM2AE) Tech Hub (Missouri)
Grant: $29 million
Focus: Enhancing critical mineral processing, led by the University of Missouri System. - Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub (Maine)
Grant: $22 million
Focus: Sustainable wood biomass polymers, managed by the Maine Technology Institute. - Vermont Gallium Nitride Tech Hub (Vermont)
Grant: $23 million
Focus: Advancing gallium nitride-based semiconductors, led by the University of Vermont.
Why It Matters
The Tech Hub program exemplifies how federal funding can accelerate regional innovation and create economic opportunities.
By investing in diverse technologies and geographical regions, the program seeks to enhance US competitiveness in global markets, while also addressing national security challenges tied to supply chains and critical materials.
Moreover, the Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA’s inclusion of up to $280M in additional funding underscores the government’s long-term vision to strengthen America’s tech ecosystems.
