Carper and Biden Administration Announce Award to University of Delaware

Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) joined U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo and University of Delaware officials to announce the winners of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) 2021 University Center Economic Development Program Competition. EDA is providing a total of $2.5 million in grants to 25 colleges and universities in 17 states and Puerto Rico to administer programs to leverage their assets, promote innovation and strengthen regional economies. University of Delaware is one of the recipients, and will receive $101,923 per year for 5 years, totaling $509,615.

“Today’s announcement is great news for economic development in our region, building upon the success of the STAR Campus,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over the EDA. “EDA’s investment in Delaware – from right here at the STAR Campus, to the Innovation Space in Wilmington, to the Automotive Center for Excellence at Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown— is paying dividends to Delaware’s economy.”

“Colleges and universities have many resources and talent that are often unique to their region,” said Alejandra Y. Castillo, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “Our 2021 EDA University Center grantees will play a key part in developing and executing on regional economic development visions. These grants could not come at a more important time, as we have an historic opportunity to invest in economic development and build back better in communities all across the country.”

“EDA’s 2021 University Center Economic Development Program aligns perfectly with our vision to make UD’s STAR Campus a growing hub of innovation and entrepreneurship,” said UD President Dennis Assanis. “The success of these efforts will benefit our entire region by leveraging the partnerships we continue to build with the public, private and nonprofit sectors. We are grateful that the Economic Development Administration recognizes the impact of our work, as well as the limitless potential here for even more development.”

Roughly 60 University Centers (UC) are in operation at any given time in states and territories. The UCs are chosen to receive annual EDA grants for five years to support regional economic development ecosystems by providing expertise, applied research, and technical assistance. After the end of their grant period, institutions are welcome to re-apply for another five-year grant. The UC competition rotates to different EDA regions each year.

Announced in April, this year’s competition was open to higher education institutions and consortia of accredited institutions in states and territories supported by EDA’s Chicago and Philadelphia regional offices. To learn more about EDA’s University Center program, please visit: https://www.eda.gov/programs/university-centers/