This is the first phase of the Tech Hubs program, which is an economic development initiative designed to drive regional innovation and job creation by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialise, and deploy technology that will advance American competitiveness.
The programme invests directly in burgeoning, high-potential U.S. regions and aims to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers.
Tech Hubs was authorised by the US Chips and 
Science Act. The Hubs are located across 32 states and Puerto Rico, and represent a cross-section of urban and rural regions.
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 yesterday focus on industries ranging from autonomous systems, quantum computing, biotechnology, precision medicine, clean energy advancement, semiconductor manufacturing, and more.
29 Strategy Development Grants (SDG) were also awardedto help communities significantly increase local coordination and planning activities. Such development could make selected grantees more competitive for future Tech Hubs funding opportunities.
The Phase 1 winners were selected from nearly 400 applications from regional consortia that include industry, academia, state and local governments, economic development organizations, and labor and workforce partners.
As part of the Tech Hubs competition, each consortium outlined plans for strengthening its region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies.
DoC has launched a second Tech Hubs Notice of Funding Opportunity, allowing these designated Tech Hubs to apply to receive between $40 million and $70 million each for implementation funding, totaling nearly $500 million.
The Tech Hubs designees are:
- Safe and Effective Autonomous Systems
- Maintaining Our Quantum Edge
- Advancing Biotechnology: Drugs and Devices
- Advancing Biotechnology: Precision and Prediction
- Accelerating Our Energy Transition
- Strengthening Our Critical Minerals Supply Chain
- Regaining Leadership in Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Growing the Future of Materials Manufacturing
The Strategy Development Grant (SDG) Recipients are:
