On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter of support to designate Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Lehigh Valley as Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs, or “Tech Hubs.”
Created by the CHIPS and Science Act, the Tech Hubs aim to create high-tech jobs and boost economic development in cities and communities across the country. Casey wrote letters in support of the Tech Hub applications for all three locations.
“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’s application was submitted by the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance to leverage local expertise in biomedical research, advanced manufacturing, and robotics and AI to create a biomanufacturing hub, while Philadelphia submitted two applications – the first led by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA focusing on precision medicine, and the other led by Delaware Valley Biopharmaceutical Hub for Enterprises, Local Innovation, Commercialization, and Security, focusing on accelerating biopharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing.
The application for the Lehigh Valley was submitted by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation focuses on the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of next generation communications technologies, Casey’s office said.
“I’m very proud to be working with partners from across our community to support this Tech Hub application, because I believe there’s no better place for a Tech Hub than the Greater Lehigh Valley,” U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh Valley) said. “From our strong local economy and manufacturing and technology sectors, to the collaboration among our academic, workforce development, and business and non-profit communities, the Lehigh Valley is uniquely situated to host a Tech Hub and further drive American innovation and job growth.”
Casey said the designations would spur innovation and entrepreneurship in the region for decades to come.