The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) selected two projects in Virginia as part of the first phase of the EDA’s Regional Tech Hubs Program.
The Tech Hubs Program is made possible by the CHIPS and Science Act, legislation to strengthen U.S. economic and national security by investing in regions that have assets, resources and potential to become globally competitive innovation centers for on the technologies and industries of the future.
“The CHIPS and Science Act continues to deliver significant wins for Virginia, supporting the creation of an Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Tech Hub in the Richmond-Petersburg region. I was proud to support this project, which will help make the Richmond-Petersburg region a critical hub for the manufacturing of advanced pharmaceuticals. Today’s announcement will help boost the American pharmaceutical industry while creating 21st century jobs for Virginians,” U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia said.
The program brings together diverse public, private and academic partners into collaborative consortia focused on driving inclusive regional growth. With their existing innovation assets as a foundation, the Tech Hubs are envisioned to build the workforce of the future, enable businesses to start and scale, and deploy and deliver critical and emerging technologies.
“Manufacturing critical medicines, including insulin, in America is good for patients, our workers, our economy, and the stability of our supply chains. That’s why I’ve worked for decades to boost our biotechnology sector in the Richmond region. I helped form and grow the Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority, a leader of this project, while I was on Richmond City Council, served on the Authority’s board while I was Richmond’s mayor, and appointed its board members while I was governor. Now as Senator, I worked to secure funding from the American Rescue Plan for the project and pushed to make this competitive Tech Hub designation possible. I’ll keep working to advance this critical economic development project for Central Virginia,” U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said.
The Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Tech Hub in the Richmond/Petersburg region was designated one of 31 inaugural Tech Hubs in across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors. Led by the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, the consortium will ensure that critical pharmaceuticals are manufactured in the U.S. by employing regional assets, scientific capacities and public and private investment to accelerate the growth, innovation and sustainability of the U.S.-based pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
The Virginia Additive Manufacturing and Applied Materials Strategy Development Consortium in the New River Valley and Danville region was awarded a Strategic Development Grant, which will go toward advancing a regional strategy based in the New River Valley to develop and deploy additive manufacturing system technologies for heavy industry to re-shore manufacturing and to strengthen domestic supply chain resilience.
Led by the New River Valley Regional Commission, the consortium will leverage the grant to increase local coordination and planning activities to strengthen the region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy technologies critical to U.S. economic and national security. The consortium was selected for a grant from a competitive pool of 181 applications.
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Rebecca Barnabi
