A recent announcement marking the designation of 31 Tech Hubs across America represents a pivotal moment in the nation’s commitment to fostering innovation and solidifying its standing in the global technological race. For workforce development professionals, this presents an array of new opportunities and responsibilities. This initiative is set to catalyze job creation, enhance U.S. competitiveness, and uphold national security by investing in the technological prowess of various regions.
The designation of these Tech Hubs stems from the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act and is spearheaded by the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Each designated Tech Hub is a recognition of a region’s potential and strategy to accelerate their tech sectors, ultimately driving job creation and bolstering the economic stature of the United States.
The geographical diversity of these hubs, spanning 32 states and Puerto Rico, encompasses both urban and rural settings, ensuring that the benefits of technological advancements are widespread. Moreover, the allocation of 29 Strategy Development Grants (SDG) underscores the administration’s dedication to nurturing local coordination and planning. These grants serve as a stepping stone for communities to intensify their development efforts and stand a better chance in future funding opportunities for Tech Hubs.
For workforce development professionals, these hubs signal the need for proactive engagement with industry, education, and policy entities to tailor workforce development programs that meet the specific needs of each hub’s focus area. Whether it’s in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing, aerospace materials, biotechnology, or renewable energy, professionals will need to equip the workforce with the skills required for these cutting-edge industries.
The EDA’s Tech Hubs Designees are not just a list of names but a call to action. From the Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Tech Hub to the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, each entity has a unique role in propelling the U.S. forward in strategic sectors such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, quantum computing, and more. These hubs are poised to become the epicenters of innovation where education, research, and commercialization converge to drive economic growth.
The Strategy Development Grant recipients are equally essential. They represent the groundwork being laid for future tech leadership in areas like critical materials, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. This forward-thinking approach underlines the importance of strategic development in ensuring that workforce training programs are not just reactive but also anticipatory of the skills that will be in high demand.
In summary, the establishment of these 31 Tech Hubs marks a monumental stride toward fortifying the technological infrastructure and workforce of the United States. For workforce development professionals, this is an opportunity to redefine and invigorate strategies, to forge partnerships that fuel innovation, and to create training programs that are as diverse and dynamic as the hubs themselves. The future of American tech lies in these hubs, and the work starts now to prepare a workforce that is ready to meet this future head-on.
The Tech Hubs Designees are:
Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). APIs are the core ingredients of drugs and biologics, and their manufacturing is a complex and expensive process. This Tech Hub is working to make API manufacturing more efficient, affordable, and sustainable.
Advancing Gallium Nitride (GaN) Tech Hub
GaN is a semiconductor material that is increasingly being used in a variety of applications, including power electronics, optoelectronics, and RF communications. This Tech Hub is focused on developing new GaN-based technologies and applications.
American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new materials and manufacturing processes for the aerospace industry. The aerospace industry is constantly demanding new materials that are lighter, stronger, and more durable. This Tech Hub is working to meet these demands by developing new materials and manufacturing processes.
Baltimore Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for the healthcare and cybersecurity industries. Baltimore is home to a number of world-class universities and research institutions, and this Tech Hub is working to leverage these resources to develop new technologies that will improve people’s lives.
Birmingham Biotechnology Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new biotechnology products and services. Birmingham is home to a number of biotech companies and startups, and this Tech Hub is working to support these companies and help them to grow.
Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new microfluidic technologies. Microfluidics is the study of fluid behavior at the microscale, and it has a wide range of applications in healthcare, energy, and other industries. This Tech Hub is working to make microfluidic technologies more affordable and accessible.
Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy (CM2AE) Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for the mining, processing, and recycling of critical minerals and materials that are used in advanced energy technologies. Critical minerals and materials are essential for the development of renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. This Tech Hub is working to make the supply chain for critical minerals and materials more secure and sustainable.
Elevate Quantum Colorado
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new quantum technologies. Quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionize many industries, including computing, medicine, and materials science. This Tech Hub is working to make Colorado a global leader in quantum technology development.
Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for the manufacturing of advanced bioproducts from forest resources. Advanced bioproducts are products that are made from renewable forest resources, such as wood and cellulose. This Tech Hub is working to make advanced bioproducts more affordable and competitive with petroleum-based products.
Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for precision medicine. Precision medicine is a new approach to healthcare that uses genetic and other molecular data to tailor treatments to individual patients. This Tech Hub is working to make precision medicine more accessible and affordable for all patients.
Gulf Louisiana Offshore Wind Propeller
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and manufacturing offshore wind turbine propellers. Offshore wind is a rapidly growing source of renewable energy, and this Tech Hub is working to make offshore wind more affordable and competitive.
Headwaters Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for the automation of complex processes, such as industrial manufacturing. This Tech Hub is working to make American manufacturing more efficient and competitive.
Heartland BioWorks
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for the manufacturing of biologics. Biologics are medicines that are made from living organisms, such as bacteria or yeast. This Tech Hub is working to make biologics more affordable and accessible for all patients.
iFAB Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for precision fermentation and biomanufacturing. Precision fermentation is a new approach to manufacturing that uses engineered microorganisms to produce a wide range of products, such as food, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. This Tech Hub is working to make precision fermentation more affordable and efficient.
Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for the nuclear energy industry. Nuclear energy is a clean and reliable source of baseload power, and this Tech Hub is working to make nuclear energy more affordable and competitive.
Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for the manufacturing of biologics. This Tech Hub is committed to diversity and inclusion, and it is working to create a more equitable and inclusive biologics manufacturing industry.
Minnesota MedTech Hub 3.0
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new medical devices and technologies. Minnesota is home to a number of world-class medical device companies, and this Tech Hub is working to support these companies and help them to grow.
Nevada Lithium Batteries and Other EV Material Loop
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for the mining, processing, and recycling of lithium and other critical minerals that are used in batteries for electric vehicles. Electric vehicles are a key part of the transition to a clean energy future, and this Tech Hub is working to make electric vehicles more affordable and sustainable.
New Energy New York (NENY) Battery Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new battery technologies for electric vehicles, energy storage, and other applications. New York is home to a number of world-class battery companies, and this Tech Hub is working to support these companies and help them to grow.
NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for smart transportation and mobility. The I-90 corridor in New York State is a major transportation corridor, and this Tech Hub is working to make this corridor more efficient and sustainable.
Ocean Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for ocean-based industries, such as aquaculture, offshore wind, and marine transportation. The ocean is a vast and untapped resource, and this Tech Hub is working to develop new technologies that will help to make use of this resource in a sustainable way.
Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for the manufacturing of mass timber products. Mass timber is a type of construction material that is made from large pieces of wood. Mass timber is a sustainable and renewable building material, and this Tech Hub is working to make mass timber more affordable and accessible.
PRBio Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new biotechnology products and services in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has a number of advantages for biotechnology development, including a skilled workforce and access to federal funding. This Tech Hub is working to make Puerto Rico a global leader in biotechnology innovation.
ReGen Valley Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for regenerative agriculture. Regenerative agriculture is a type of farming that aims to improve soil health and biodiversity. This Tech Hub is working to make regenerative agriculture more affordable and accessible for farmers.
SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for resilient energy systems. Resilient energy systems are able to withstand and recover from disruptions, such as extreme weather events or cyberattacks. This Tech Hub is working to make South Carolina a leader in the development of resilient energy systems.
South Florida Climate Resilience Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies to help South Florida adapt to climate change. South Florida is a region that is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise and storm surges. This Tech Hub is working to make South Florida more resilient to the effects of climate change.
Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new sustainable polymers. Sustainable polymers are polymers that are made from renewable resources or that have a low environmental impact. This Tech Hub is working to make sustainable polymers more affordable and accessible.
Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new semiconductor technologies. Semiconductors are essential components of many electronic devices, such as computers, smartphones, and solar panels. This Tech Hub is working to make the United States more competitive in the semiconductor industry.
The Bloch Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for the financial services industry. The financial services industry is a major driver of the American economy, and this Tech Hub is working to help the financial services industry to innovate and grow.
Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA)
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new technologies for equitable and trustworthy autonomy. Autonomy is the ability of machines to operate without human intervention. This Tech Hub is working to develop autonomous systems that are safe, reliable, and fair.
Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub
This Tech Hub is focused on developing and commercializing new biohealth technologies. Biohealth technologies are technologies that are used to improve human health and well-being. This Tech Hub is working to make Wisconsin a leader in the development of biohealth technologies.