South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub
Lead Agency: Miami Dade County Innovation and Economic Development Office
State Served: Florida
Region: Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach counties
Core Technology Area: sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure
Contact: Francesca de Quesada Covey ([email protected])
Media Contact: Natalia Jaramillo ([email protected])
The South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub, led by the Miami Dade County Office of Innovation and Economic Development, aims to advance its global leadership in sustainable and resilient infrastructure (SRI) solutions for the global climate crisis. Building off the region’s unique combination of resources such as its coastal and marine infrastructure, cluster of clean cement and energy efficiency building industries, and academic and research institutions, this Tech Hub will jumpstart SRI innovation by developing, commercializing, and scaling SRI technologies, focused on climate adaptation and mitigation.
The South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub seeks to advance community-level climate technologies in three areas: 1. energy efficiencies (building energy management systems, HVAC systems, microgrids and marine energy industries); 2. infrastructure (clean cement and concrete); and 3. coasts (green-gray artificial reef structures, sea walls, breakwaters, and hybrid reefs).
This consortium’s proposal includes plans to:
- Establish greater connectivity between industry, regulators, and policymakers to reduce regulatory barriers to climate technology adoption;
- Develop workforce development programs that offer career pathways to diverse groups through certifications, training, and apprenticeships, supplemented with wraparound services;
- Scale advanced concrete technologies made with reduced emissions that protect environments in low-lying areas, specifically focusing on communities most affected by extreme weather events;
- Expand demonstration facilities along South Florida's coastline for green-gray artificial reef structures, seawalls, and breakwaters that defend against storm surges while promoting marine biodiversity;
- Demonstrate and validate affordable and efficient building cooling solutions tailored for subtropical climates; and
- Dismantle silos within the climate and capital ecosystem to foster collaboration among government, climate justice advocates, startups, corporations, capital partners, and academia.
To ensure that the impacts of the Tech Hub projects benefit the entire region, the consortium is committed to ensuring that underserved communities are among the first communities to gain access to new technologies and create awareness for opportunities in climate-related fields, as well as continue efforts to address generational systemic gaps by engaging underserved communities to help evaluate where they can improve to ensure shared prosperity among all stakeholders.
This summary is based on information submitted by the applicants. If selected for funding, the final EDA-approved scope of work may differ.
Designee Narrative (PDF)
Additional Designations Earned in Region
