Commerce designates 3 Pacific Northwest tech hubs

by STAFF REPORT
Staff Report | October 30, 2023 5:06 PM

MOSES LAKE – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration announced Oct. 23 the designation of 31 Tech Hubs across the country, including two in Washington, the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub in the Spokane Valley and the Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub.

The release stated that this is the first phase of the Tech Hubs program, which is an economic development initiative designed to drive regional innovation and job creation by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize and deploy technology that will advance American competitiveness. The program invests directly in high-potential U.S. regions and aims to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers.

“These outstanding Tech Hubs Designees exemplify place-based economic development strategies at their best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “As each region develops its own strategy to catalyze innovation and job creation, the entire nation grows more secure and more competitive.”

According to the EDA website, the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub, led by Gonzaga University, aims to develop new domestic supply chains to meet the immediate demand for high-rate production of advanced composite aerostructures in defense and commercial markets.

“This Tech Hub will build on its established aerospace foundation, relationships among its research institutions and private sector, and existing and growing labor market to meet the strong and growing demand for the materials that will enable more – and more sustainable – air travel,” said the website.

The Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub, led by Oregon State University, aims to be a global leader in mass timber design and manufacturing to lower the construction industry’s carbon footprint and increase housing affordability, said the website.

For more information and a full list of Tech Hub designations, visit www.eda.gov.