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OceanTech Hub reports $5M federal investment and progress on six of seven component projects
Summary
Commerce staff reported $5 million in federal support to the Ocean State OceanTech Hub, $1 million for centralization and $4 million from the Good Jobs Challenge for workforce development; staff said six of seven component projects from the hub application are underway and the region will apply this summer for additional hub implementation funds.
Daniella (speaker 10) updated the board on the Ocean State OceanTech Hub, describing federal and state investments and near-term plans.
She said that since the hub designation about 18 months ago the region had secured roughly $5 million in federal investment: about $1 million to centralize hub coordination and $4 million through the Good Jobs Challenge to support workforce development. Daniella told the board the region has made progress on six of seven component projects, is establishing an incubator "blue robotics lab" at Unity Park and a technology innovation center at URI Bay Campus, and will apply this summer for additional hub implementation funds limited to designated hubs that have not received large infrastructure awards.
Board members praised the team's work and noted regional collaboration with Massachusetts on offshore wind and ocean-technology strategies. Staff said the hub will require continued board engagement as the application and implementation process proceeds.
