REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) – The Biden administration is designating 31 technology hubs across 32 states, including Rhode Island’s proposal for an Ocean Tech Hub, and Puerto Rico to help spur innovation and create jobs in the industries that are concentrated in these areas.
The Ocean Tech Hub, a consortium led by R.I. Commerce Corp., will leverage its unique coastal assets – including seven commercial ports and shallow and deep ocean access – to establish digital and physical testing and manufacturing environments for rapid prototyping and delivery to meet the growing commercial demand. In doing so, the Ocean Tech Hub will advance ocean technology innovation and become a global leader in the growing ocean economy.
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“I thank the Biden administration for designating Rhode Island as the home of one of 31 inaugural Tech Hubs across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors,” said Gov. Daniel J. McKee. “Ocean technology and the ocean economy has been part of the innovation ecosystem in Rhode Island for decades. This designation validates Rhode Island’s national position in this growing global market and gives us the fuel to build critical infrastructure that will further drive U.S. economic and national security.”
The Ocean Tech Hub Consortium will include leaders from academia, industry, government, labor and community organizations from both Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts with support from partners in Connecticut and beyond, many who helped build the Grow Blue Strategy, focused on catalyzing the ocean economy.
Members will include Brown University, Rhode Island College, University of Rhode Island, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, RI-AFLCIO, 401 Tech Bridge, Jaia Robotics, IBM, Infused Innovations, New Bedford Ocean Cluster, R.I. Department of Labor and Training, Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, R.I. Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District and the City of Providence.
President Joe Biden announced the hubs on Monday at the White House with Commerce Secretary and former Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo.
“I have to say, in my entire career in public service, I have never seen as much interest in any initiative than this one,” Raimondo told reporters during a Sunday conference call to preview the announcement. Her department received 400 applications, she said.
“No matter where I go or who I meet with – CEOs, governors, senators, congresspeople, university presidents – everyone wants to tell me about their application and how excited they are,” said Raimondo.
The tech hubs are the result of a process Raimondo’s department launched in May to distribute a total of $500 million in grants to cities.
The $500 million came from a $10 billion authorization in last year’s CHIPS and Science Act to stimulate investments in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotech. It’s an attempt to expand tech investment that is largely concentrated around a few U.S. cities – Austin, Texas; Boston; New York; San Francisco; and Seattle – to the rest of the country.
The program, formally the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program, ties into the president’s economic argument that people should be able to find good jobs where they live and that opportunity should be spread across the country, rather than be concentrated. The White House has sought to elevate that message and highlight Biden’s related policies as the Democratic president undertakes his 2024 reelection bid.
“These Tech Hubs will catalyze investment in technologies critical to economic growth, national security, and job creation, and will help communities across the country become centers of innovation critical to American competitiveness,” the White House said Monday in an emailed statement.
Besides Rhode Island, the tech hubs will reach Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Montana, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Virginia, New Hampshire, Missouri, Kansas, Maryland, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Minnesota, Louisiana, Idaho, Wyoming, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, New York, Nevada, Missouri, Oregon, Vermont, Ohio, Maine, Washington and Puerto Rico.
(UPDATE: Details of Ocean Tech Hub and comment from McKee added.)
(UPDATE: Updates announcement of Tech Hubs from White House)
