The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it would provide $504 million in implementation grants to a dozen “tech hubs” in Ohio, Montana, Nevada and Florida, among others.
The money would support the development of quantum computingbiomanufacturing, lithium batteries, computer chips, personal medicine and other technologies.
The administration is trying to encourage more technological innovation across the country, rather than concentrating it in a few metropolitan areas such as San Francisco, Seattle, Boston and New York.
“The reality is that there are smart people, great entrepreneurs and leading research institutions all across the country,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on a call previewing the announcement.
“We’re throwing away so much potential if we don’t give them the resources to compete and win in the technology sectors that will define the global economy in the 21st century.” The money comes from the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration. In October 2023, President Joe Biden designated 31 tech hubs. Raimondo said the administration is pushing for more funding for the program so that all designated tech hubs can get additional resources to compete.
The technology hubs receiving funding include: — $41 million for the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub in Colorado and New Mexico — $41 million for the Headwaters Hub in Montana — $51 million for Heartland BioWorks in Indiana — $51 million for the iFAB Tech Hub in Illinois — $21 million for the Nevada Tech Hub — $40 million for the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub in New York — $44 million for the ReGen Valley Tech Hub in New Hampshire — $45 million for the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy in South Carolina and Georgia — $19 million for the South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub — $51 million for the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub in Ohio — $51 million for the Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy in Oklahoma — $51 million for the Wisconsin Biohealth Teach Hub.
