Biden-Harris Administration Awards Planning Grant to Develop Electric Vehicle Production in Ridgway, Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced that the North Central Pressed Materials Strategy Development Consortium in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, was awarded a Tech Hubs Strategy Development Grant. It will help to develop a strategic roadmap to diversify the production of pressed materials and machined parts and their use cases, such as their emerging application, to electric vehicle production.

The North Central Pressed Materials Strategy Development Consortium, led by the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, will leverage the grant to increase local coordination and planning activities to strengthen its region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy technologies critical to U.S. economic and national security. The Tech Hubs Program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, is investing in U.S. regions and aims to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers. This consortium was selected for a grant from a competitive pool of 181 applications.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rooted in policies that will empower the United States to out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world. Our Tech Hubs Program is fundamental to that mission and will supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments and creating 21st century job opportunities in people’s backyards,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Each of these consortia will help us ensure the industries of the future—and their good-paying jobs—start, grow, and remain in the United States.”

“These outstanding consortia 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.”

“Rural Pennsylvania is key to our success as a Commonwealth – that's why my Administration has invested in their success and is giving them a seat at the table as we develop the first statewide economic development strategy in nearly two decades,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. “I’m proud the Biden Administration has recognized the vital role rural Pennsylvania must play in our future, and investments like this one will help attract business, drive innovation, and create jobs in Elk County. In Pennsylvania, we’re capitalizing on the growing demand for electric vehicles and my Administration is committed to supporting those businesses as they work to build the next generation of vehicles, reduce our emissions, and strengthen our communities.”

“I fought for this award to help North Central Pennsylvania realize its potential as a manufacturing powerhouse,” said Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey. “When we invest in Pennsylvania’s rural communities, we create jobs in communities that were long underserved, grow local economies, and lead the way to our Nation’s economic future.”

For a full list of Tech Hubs, visit TechHubs.gov.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.