EDA designates 31 Tech Hubs, makes 29 Strategy Development Grants

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the designation of 31 Tech Hubs in regions across the country and 29 Strategy Development Grants. This announcement marks the first phase of the new Tech Hubs program, an economic development initiative authorized in the CHIPS and Science Act and designed to drive regional innovation and job creation by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy technology that will advance American competitiveness.

These Tech Hubs are located across 32 states and Puerto Rico and represent a cross-section of urban and rural regions. According to an EDA press release, the designation is an endorsement of the region’s plans to supercharge their respective technological industries to create jobs, strengthen U.S. competitiveness, and protect national security. The Tech Hubs announced today focus on industries ranging from autonomous systems, quantum computing, biotechnology, precision medicine, clean energy advancement, semiconductor manufacturing, and more.

The 31 designees will now be eligible to compete for Strategy Implementation Grants. The Phase 2 notice of funding opportunity states that EDA plans to award 5-10 awards of $50 million-$75 million each. This largely aligns with recent congressional testimony by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who indicated that the $500 million Congress appropriated for the program would only allow for 5-6 substantial awards.

EDA also awarded 29 Strategy Development Grants to help communities significantly increase local coordination and planning activities. Such development could make selected grantees more competitive for future Tech Hubs funding opportunities.

For a list of the 31 Tech Hub designees and 29 Strategy Development Grant awardees, click here.