Lehigh Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the Department of Commerce’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) released last week for the Regional Innovation Hubs Program—outlined first in Congresswoman Susan Wild’s Regional Innovation Act of 2021 and passed into law through the CHIPS and Science Act—Congresswoman Susan Wild made the case for Pennsylvania’s Seventh Congressional District as the perfect host for a Tech Hub.

“Since I introduced my Regional Innovation Act in 2021, I have been a polite but squeaky wheel in the ear of the Department of Commerce, because I think there is nowhere better for a Tech Hub to be located than in Pennsylvania’s Seventh Congressional District,” said Congresswoman Susan Wild.

Here’s what people are saying about Rep. Wild’s push to bring a Tech Hub—an investment in research and development, American technology, and job growth—to the Greater Lehigh Valley:

Lehigh Valley News: Rep. Susan Wild pushes for Lehigh Valley to cash in on $500 million tech hub opportunity

READ: “The U.S. Department of Commerce has officially opened applications for the new Regional Technology and Innovation Hub program, a signature proposal from U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, that was adopted into last summer's bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act.”

“‘I think there's nowhere better for a tech hub to be located than in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District,’ Wild said in a conference call with reporters Friday.”

Lehigh Valley Live: Wild pushing for Lehigh Valley in first-ever round of Innovation Hub funding

READ: “U.S. Rep. Susan Wild on Friday said she was making the case for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District covering the Lehigh Valley to host one of the 20 Tech Hubs being funded through this first Notice of Funding Opportunity under the program. Wild, a third-term Democrat representing the district, had outlined the idea behind the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program in legislation introduced in July 2021 and which was then merged into the CHIPS and Science Act passed last summer.”

WDIY: Rep. Wild: 'Uniquely Situated' Lehigh Valley Should Host a New Tech Hub

READ: “‘I think PA-07 is uniquely situated to be designated as such a tech hub thanks to the integration and collaboration already present between our academic sector, our many colleges and universities and technical schools and community colleges, our workforce development programs, our nonprofit and business community,’ [Wild] explained.

“She also pointed to the district’s legacy of manufacturing and innovation. ‘Most famously of course with Bethlehem Steel and Mack Trucks,’ Wild said, ‘and we have worked hard to come to a place where we are well positioned to take advantage of this program to propel us into a 21st century manufacturing, technology, and innovation revival.’”

WFMZ: Rep. Wild highlights Regional Innovation Hubs program, says Lehigh Valley would make a good 'Tech Hub'

READ: “Congresswoman Susan Wild says the Lehigh Valley would make a great ‘Tech Hub.’ She says phase one of the Regional Innovation Hubs program has opened and is now taking applications for Tech Hub designations… These hubs are eligible for federal funding and will focus on innovation, technology and job creation.”

Lehigh Valley Business: Funding opportunity open for Regional Innovation Hubs program

READ: “Congresswoman Susan Wild has taken the next step in trying to bring a regional innovation hub to the Lehigh Valley… Now the program has opened its first Notice of Funding Opportunity, and Wild said she’s hoping to bring one of the 20 Tech Hubs included in the program to the Seventh Congressional District.”

“She said the district is uniquely situated to be designated as such a Tech Hub thanks to the integration and collaboration already present between the local academic sector, the workforce development programs, the non-profit and business community, and the Lehigh Valley’s geographic proximity to major metropolitan areas.”

PHL17: New $500M federal grant aims to expand tech hubs outside of Silicon Valley

WATCH: “Congresswoman Susan Wild introduced the [Regional Innovation Act] to create this program which was passed as part of the 2022 CHIPS Act.

“‘I just think we have outsourced too much of our economy to other parts of the world for way too long,’ Rep. Wild said. She says the money will also allow colleges better prepare students, saying the programs will be “‘designed almost to the specs of an employer or manufacturer or industry.’” 

Rep. Wild’s Work to Establish the Tech Hub Program

Rep. Wild introduced the bipartisan Regional Innovation Act in 2021 to promote and support American technological research and innovation in places like the Greater Lehigh Valley, by incentivizing collaborative partnerships between local governments, colleges and universities, private industry, non-profits, and community organizations.

Rep. Wild’s Regional Innovation Act was rolled into the package of bills passed into law through the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act during summer of 2022.

In December 2022, Rep. Wild wrote President Biden urging the Administration to select the Greater Lehigh Valley as the site for a Tech Hub.

In April 2023, Rep. Wild called for full funding for the newly established EDA Tech Hub program in Fiscal Year 2024.

About the Regional Innovation Hubs Program

The Regional Innovation Hub program, administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and created by legislation championed by Rep. Wild—the Regional Innovation Act of 2021—was passed into law within the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

The Economic Development Agency (EDA) expects to designate 20+ Tech Hubs across the country to strengthen U.S. economic and national security through place-based investments. Today’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) by the Department of Commerce lays out guidance for Phase One of the application process.  

More information from the Department of Commerce about last week’s Notice of Funding as well as Tech Hub application phases and eligibility can be found HERE.

A Fact Sheet on the Tech Hubs program can be found HERE.

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Original source can be found here.