Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester Announce Delaware’s Inclusion in Tech Hub Designation

Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) announced that the Greater Philadelphia Region received Designation status as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hub) through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Tech Hubs are designed to grow regional technology and innovation by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies. Designation status indicates a region’s widely recognized potential for rapid technology-led economic growth ideal to drive innovation, expand manufacturing of key technologies, and strengthen U.S. national security and competitiveness all while creating good-paying, American jobs. In August, Carper, Coons, and Blunt Rochester sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce in support of the Greater Philadelphia Region’s proposal.

“Our region’s first-class workforce, combined with our history of medical innovation and robust supply chains, makes this a great place to invest in the tech economy,” said Senator Carper. “The potential for collaboration and exchange of new ideas is endless, and Delaware is well positioned to be a strong partner in this regional tech hub.”

“I am proud to see our tri-state area designated as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub, and I look forward to our region continuing to lead the country and the world in biotechnology and precision medicine,” said Senator Coons. “Our stellar universities, dynamic businesses, and culture of innovation make Delaware a strong choice for a Technology Hub that will create new jobs while helping develop cutting-edge cures for deadly diseases.”

“The capacity of Delaware and its regional partners to pave the way for the future of research and development, manufacturing, and innovation was just expanded to the largest scale imaginable,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “ Today’s monumental announcement – that the Greater Philadelphia Region has been designated as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub – underscores just how critical a role our region plays in building a powerful economy consisting of effective partnerships, innovative technologies, and good-paying, American jobs. I am proud to have championed the CHIPS and Science Act in Congress which made today’s announcement possible, and express my gratitude to the Biden Administration, Senator Carper, and Senator Coons, as well as the diligent staff in my office for working together to see the potential of Delaware and our region realized in this impactful way.” 

BACKGROUND

The CHIPS and Science Act, enacted into law by President Biden on August 9, 2022, and championed by Carper, Coons, and Blunt Rochester, authorized $10 billion for the Regional Technology and Innovation (Tech Hubs) program through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce. The CHIPS and Science Act is a historic achievement for American manufacturing and innovation, making long-overdue investments in R&D and workforce development in underrepresented communities. 

The Tech Hubs program mandates the creation of at least 20 Tech Hubs, each composed of a consortium of stakeholders that will work together to advance R&D, improve U.S. technological competitiveness, and enhance national security. Led by Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA, the Greater Philadelphia Region’s Tech Hub proposal includes more than 50 partner organizations in the tri-state Greater Philadelphia Region including the State of Delaware as well as Delaware-based organizations, institutions, corporations, health care systems, and manufacturing and workforce development partners. The Greater Philadelphia Region’s Tech Hub will focus on precision medicine.