The money would support the development of quantum computing, biomanufacturing, lithium batteries, computer chips, personal medicine and other technologies
The Biden administration announced on Tuesday that it was handing out $504million in implementation grants to a dozen technology hubs across the US, including in Ohio, Montana, Nevada and Florida.
This cash injection will support the development of cutting-edge technologies such as quantum computing, biomanufacturing, lithium batteries, computer chips, and personalised medicine. The move is part of a drive by the Democratic administration to spread technological innovation more evenly across the country, rather than it being concentrated in just a few major cities like San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, and New York City.
“The reality is there are smart people, great entrepreneurs, and leading-edge research institutions all across the country,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo explained in a call ahead of the announcement. “We’re leaving so much potential on the table if we don’t give them the resources to compete and win in the tech sectors that will define the 21st century global economy.”
The funding is being provided by the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration. President Joe Biden designated 31 tech hubs back in October 2023, and this latest announcement means that a dozen of them will receive additional resources to help them compete.
Raimondo also revealed that the administration was pushing for even more funding for the program so that all the designated tech hubs can benefit. The tech hubs receiving funding include $41million for the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub in Colorado and New Mexico, $41million for the Headwaters Hub in Montana, and $51million for Heartland BioWorks in Indiana. .
– $51m for the iFAB Tech Hub in Illinois.
– $21m for the Nevada Tech Hub.
– $40m for the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub in New York.
– $44m for ReGen Valley Tech Hub in New Hampshire.
– $45m for the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy in South Carolina and Georgia.
– $19m for the South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub.
– $51m for the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub in Ohio.
– $51m for the Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy in Oklahoma.
– $51m for the Wisconsin Biohealth Teach Hub.
