Federal grant for North Central PA consortium awarded through nationally competitive Tech Hubs program
Congress created Tech Hub program in CHIPS and Science Act to create high-tech jobs across Nation
Casey advocated for rural PA-based initiative, urged Biden Administration to swiftly implement program
North Central PA home to one-third of world’s powdered metallurgy and carbon manufacturing; grant will boost pressed materials manufacturing sector
Announcement consistent with Casey speech on future of American workers and economy; follows other major investments in regional economy
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is announcing a $400,000 grant to further develop the manufacturing sector in North Central Pennsylvania. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has awarded the competitive planning grant to the North Central Pressed Materials Strategy Development Consortium thanks to the Tech Hubs Strategy Development Grant program, created by the CHIPS and Science Act. The grant will help to position North Central Pennsylvania as a leader in the pressed materials industry, a critical part of the in-demand electric vehicle sector.
“I fought for this award to help North Central Pennsylvania realize its potential as a manufacturing powerhouse,” said Senator Casey. “When we invest in Pennsylvania’s rural communities, we create jobs in communities that were long underserved, grow local economies, and lead the way to our Nation’s economic future.”
With about one-third of the world’s powdered metallurgy and carbon manufacturing facilities, North Central PA is uniquely positioned to lead the fast-growing pressed materials manufacturing sector. The grant will enable the Consortium to develop a strategy to help local manufacturers adopt new technology, grow their workforce, improve their equipment and infrastructure, and follow sustainability practices. Building on the region’s manufacturing capabilities will give North Central PA the resources and support to assume a critical role in EV production.
Senator Casey advocated for the project to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, highlighting the region’s singular capabilities to lead in the pressed materials manufacturing sector. The funding comes from the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hub) program, an economic development initiative created by the CHIPS and Science Act aimed at accelerating growth in technology sectors, and the high-paying jobs that come with it, in cities and communities across the country. Casey also secured a Tech Hub designation for Southeastern Pennsylvania’s life sciences sector.
Casey has consistently fought to deliver jobs, manufacturing, and investments back to Pennsylvania. In 2021, he worked to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to bring billions of dollars to Pennsylvania to build out clean energy infrastructure, improve roads and bridges, expand high-speed internet access, and more, all while creating good-paying jobs. In 2022, he supported the CHIPS and Science Act to produce semiconductors in the United States, reducing the U.S.’ reliance on foreign adversaries, including China, for critical technology manufacturing. Senator Casey has urged Secretary Raimondo to consider Pennsylvania for future semiconductor manufacturing investments from the CHIPS law. The same year, the Inflation Reduction Act made major investments in new energy manufacturing, including solar panels, wind turbines, and clean battery systems. Casey fought to include strict domestic content standards to ensure projects use 100% American-made steel and iron.
In June, Senator Casey delivered a rousing speech to union workers and business leaders in Pittsburgh to outline his vision for the United States to take control of its economic future by investing in American workers and manufacturing, as well as stopping investments in national security sectors from going to countries of concern, including China. In July, the Senate overwhelmingly passed Senator Casey’s legislation to screen those investments by a vote of 91-6. Building on Casey’s efforts, the Biden Administration issued an executive order addressing the issue weeks later.
Last week, Casey announced the launch of the two hydrogen hubs, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2), based in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) serving Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. These hubs will bring jobs, economic growth, and energy innovation to the Mid-Atlantic and the Appalachian Basin.
