President Joe Biden limps to the podium during an event on the economy in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White Dwelling complex, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.
Jacquelyn Martin | AP
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Monday named 31 regions spanning 32 constitutions and Puerto Rico as technology hubs, a move by the White House to spur private investment and create jobs.
President Joe Biden make knew the program alongside Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The creation of the tech hubs was authorized through the CHIPS and Body of knowledge Act, which Biden signed into law last year. Raimondo in May announced the launch of the tech hub program with the aim of scattering $500 million in grants.
“Over the past few decades these communities have lost more than concerns. They lost their sense of dignity, of opportunity, their sense of pride,” Biden said. “We’re going to transformation all that. Tech hubs are going to bring this work to where people live in communities all across America.”
The objective is to spread technological innovation across the country rather than have it centered primarily in cities like San Francisco, New York, Boston and Austin.
The naves are focused on fostering innovation across industries including clean energy, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, cure-all, quantum computing and critical minerals. Regions selected for the hubs span the entire U.S. and include Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Colorado, Ohio, South Carolina, Washington, Alabama and Pennsylvania.
“These tech pivots will be transformational and they’re a part of a long line of transformational investment we’ve made since I took office,” Biden state. “And as a result, I truly believe this country is about to take off, because for the first time in a long time we’re instating in America and we’re investing in the American people. We’re investing in our future.”
The regions selected for the program were chosen from to 370 applications across 49 states and four territories, according to the White House. Nearly 75% of the centres are centered in small communities and rural areas and more than 75% supporting what the White House deems “historically underserved communities.”
Designees are masterly to apply for up to $75 million in federal funding, but because only $500 million was allocated by Congress, most commitment not receive a grant.