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Biden administration this week Awarded $504 million A 12-state region from New Mexico to New Hampshire aims to transform neglected communities into “tech hubs.”
The grants reflect an effort to expand production of key technologies beyond hubs like Silicon Valley and the coastal regions, bringing more high-paying jobs in industries like computer chips, quantum computing and personalized health care.
The awards are estimated to range from $20 million to more than $50 million per region. The tech hub program is part of the Chips and Science Act of 2022, which aims to boost domestic semiconductor production and scientific research funding.
But the funding announcements show that very little has actually been allocated. Congress approved $10 billion over five years for the program, but only a fraction of that has been disbursed so far — $541 million, including the latest appropriation. More broadly, semiconductor production has faced challenges since the legislation was enacted, including Delays Construction and decoration of chip factories.
John Lettieri, chief executive of the Economic Innovation Group, a think tank, said the recent prizes themselves were unlikely to have a huge impact.
“It’s unlikely that we’ll have any major technological breakthroughs with this $500 million,” Mr. Lettieri said.
“With more funding, we will make more awards, leading to more technological advancement, more regional development and more good-paying jobs,” Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo said in a statement.
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