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EDA TechOps director Eric Smith previews Phase 2 awards, highlights hub growth
Summary
Eric Smith, director of the TechOps program at the Economic Development Administration, gave an update on the $10 billion TechOps initiative, saying Phase 1 produced 31 designated tech hubs from nearly 400 applications and that consortium membership has grown from about 950 to more than 1,400 organizations ahead of Phase 2 awards this summer.
Eric Smith, director of the TechOps program at the Economic Development Administration, said Thursday that the $10,000,000,000 initiative aims “to strengthen US economic competitiveness and US national security” by helping industries of the future start, grow and remain in the United States.
Smith told attendees the TechOps program received nearly 400 applications for hub designation and strategy-development awards in Phase 1, and that the president announced 31 designated tech hubs in October. “Those 31 hubs immediately began developing their proposals for tens of millions of dollars in funding,” he said, listing workforce development, technology demonstration and deployment, business support and regional infrastructure as priority uses.
The director said the hubs’ consortia have expanded substantially: at the end of Phase 1 there were about 950 organizations participating across the 31 hubs, and that number has grown to more than 1,400 — a rise Smith described as “a more than 50% increase.” He said the program is seeing broader representation from underrepresented and underserved communities and workers.
Smith provided specific participation numbers: 30 labor organizations now participate across 17 hubs, up from representation in 12 hubs at the end of Phase 1; Minority-Serving Institutions are now involved in 21 hubs (up from 18); Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions are participating in 11 hubs (up from 7); and tribal governments are part of 9 hubs (up from 6).
On funding and commitments, Smith said hubs have secured “thousands of commitments” from consortium members and other stakeholders across public, private, philanthropic and academic sectors, and that those commitments include policy pledges on housing and transportation alongside “billions of dollars in investment commitments.”
Smith framed the update as preparatory to upcoming awards: “Before we make our announcements of our, phase 2 award winners this summer, I’m here to give you a brief update on the state of the program,” he said, and added that EDA will continue supporting the 31 hubs as they pursue their competitiveness strategies.
The briefing did not include a detailed list of Phase 2 awardees, award amounts, or a timetable beyond “this summer.”
