Congress created Tech Hub program in CHIPS and Science Act to create high-tech jobs in cities across Nation
Casey’s support for Pittsburgh application comes after rousing speech laying out his vision for future of American economy by investing in American workers and manufacturing
ICYMI: Casey Announces Over $62 Million to Expand and Strengthen Southwestern PA Technology Industry
Casey: “A Southwestern Pennsylvania Tech Hub designation will utilize the region’s resilience and spur innovation and entrepreneurship for decades to come.”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter of support for the greater Pittsburgh region’s application for designation as a Tech Hub. Created by the CHIPS and Science Act, the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hub) program is an economic development initiative aimed at accelerating growth in technology sectors, and the high-paying jobs that come with it, in cities and communities across the country. Pittsburgh’s Tech Hub application is led by the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance and intends to leverage local expertise in biomedical research, advanced manufacturing, and robotics and AI to create a biomanufacturing hub in the greater Pittsburgh area.
“The Tech Hubs program will jumpstart the growth potential of cities and communities ready to lead the global economy, simultaneously creating good jobs here at home while allowing the United States to take control of our own economic future,” said Senator Casey. “Pittsburgh built our Nation for centuries, and then rebuilt themselves as a world-class leader in the robotics, AI, and biomedical sectors. A Southwestern Pennsylvania Tech Hub designation will utilize the region’s resilience and spur innovation and entrepreneurship for decades to come.”
Senator Casey is fighting to bring jobs and economic investment back to Pennsylvania. Casey secured $62.7 million for the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative to strengthen and expand the Collaborative’s trailblazing work promoting economic development through the region’s robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors. He worked to pass the CHIP 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, and pushed the Administration to implement the Tech Hubs program quickly to spur innovation in communities as quickly as possible. 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. Last month, 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 earlier this month.
Full text of the letter is below and the signed PDF is HERE.
The Honorable Gina Raimondo
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20230
Dear Secretary Raimondo,
I write today in support of the Greater Pittsburgh region’s application for designation as a Tech Hub under the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hub program. I understand that the region’s application seeks to leverage local expertise in biomedical research, advanced manufacturing, and robotics and AI to create a biomanufacturing hub aimed at driving global competitiveness, strengthening economic and national security, and promoting equitable growth. Given that this application has the potential to be transformative for the region and the nation, I urge you to give this application full and fair consideration.
I understand that the proposed Hub, led by the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance, intends to focus on biomanufacturing, positioning Pittsburgh to carry on its manufacturing legacy. Pittsburgh’s consortium of involved entities is rich with expertise in multiple core technology focus areas and the region’s position at that nexus of innovation represents a unique investment opportunity for EDA. Without targeted, coordinated federal investment, however, the region faces the risk of remaining a half step behind leading innovation hubs. A Tech Hub designation, and the public and private investment that may follow, would pave the way for the region to level up to true global competitiveness. By expanding existing specializations, the hub could help ensure that the United States is the leading manufacturer of the future of medicine.
At the national level, the Tech Hub program is a recognition of the need to drive growth and activate resources throughout the country, rather than allowing a handful of cities to benefit from the upward mobility provided by easy access to venture capital and jobs on, or supporting those on, the innovation frontier. For the region, the designation provides the opportunity to plan, collaborate, and strategically evolve in a way that benefits national economic competitiveness and national security.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration. Please include this letter in the official record of the application. Consistent with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, we also respectfully request that you keep our offices informed of the status of this grant application. Finally, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact the Office of Senator Casey at (202) 224-6324.
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