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U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, AL-07, announced on Monday that Birmingham has been designated as one of 31 Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs (Tech Hubs) by the Biden-Harris Administration through the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. These Tech Hubs will catalyze investment in technologies critical to economic growth, national security, and job creation, and will help communities across the country become centers of innovation critical to American competitiveness.
The Birmingham Biotechnology Hub will work to increase representation in clinical data and improve pharmaceutical development, and will now be eligible to compete for up to $75 million in additional funding. The Tech Hubs program was authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act which passed Congress with Rep. Sewell’s support and was signed by President Biden in August 2022.
“Birmingham is leading the nation and the world in the biotechnology sector and we are absolutely thrilled that the Biden-Harris Administration has designated it as a Tech Hub,” celebrated Rep. Sewell. “Not only will this designation further strengthen Birmingham’s position as a center for innovation, but it will also bring numerous jobs, resources, and opportunities to the people of our city. This is a great example of how President Biden’s CHIPS and Science Act is supercharging America’s competitiveness in science and technology, and we in Birmingham are excited to be a part of it!”
The Birmingham Biotechnology Hub, a consortium led by Southern Research Institute, will apply artificial intelligence-driven biotechnology to increase representation in clinical genomic data and clinical trials. Leveraging the region’s existing assets, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s data bank, the Birmingham Biotechnology Hub will utilize artificial intelligence trained with inclusive patient data to shorten the drug development pipeline and deliver affordable drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics that treat a diverse global patient population.
This designation is part of the first phase of the novel Tech Hubs program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, that will invest directly in high-potential U.S. regions and aim to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers. Designation is an endorsement of the region’s strategy to supercharge their respective technological industry to create jobs and strengthen U.S. economic and national security.
Designated Tech Hubs are now eligible to apply for the next phase of the Tech Hubs Program that will invest between $50-$75 million in each of 5-10 Designated Hubs.
For a full list of Tech Hubs, visit TechHubs.gov.
