Biden-Harris Administration Designates Tech Hub in Ohio to Support Sustainable Polymers Technology

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced that Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub in Ohio was designated as one of the 31 inaugural Tech Hubs in regions across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors.

The Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub, a consortium led by Greater Akron Chamber, will tackle the severe climate and environmental impacts caused by the use of fossil fuel-derived polymers – rubber and plastics – through accelerating sustainable polymer manufacturing and commercialization. Leveraging regional assets and partnerships, as well as an inclusive regional workforce, the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub will work to establish global leadership in sustainable rubber and plastics technology.

This designation is part of the first phase of the novel Tech Hubs program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, that will invest directly in high-potential U.S. regions and aim to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers. Designation is an endorsement of the region’s strategy to supercharge their respective technological industry to create jobs and strengthen U.S. economic and national security. Designated Tech Hubs are now eligible to apply for the next phase of the Tech Hubs Program that will invest between $50-$75 million in each of 5-10 Designated Hubs.

In addition to a Tech Hubs Designation, EDA announced today that Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub was also awarded a Tech Hubs Strategy Development Grant that will help the consortium increase local coordination and planning activities to strengthen its region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies.

“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.”

“With our rich manufacturing history, Ohio is a natural fit to host a regional technology hub. As the historic rubber capital of the world, Akron is the ideal location for the future of sustainable polymers, to produce the domestic rubber and plastics of the 21st century. This investment will ensure that Ohio will lead in the technologies of the future, with Akron at the center of sustainable materials innovation,” said Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.

“Ohio’s 13th Congressional District has long been a trailblazer in polymer science and polymer engineering. I’m thrilled to see the Biden-Harris Administration make this historic $400,000 investment in the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub as their research continues to establish worldwide leadership in this space,” said Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13). “As a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I am uniquely familiar with the multi-disciplinary and far-reaching value the efforts of this funding and designation will bring not only to Akron and Northeast Ohio, but to our nation. The Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub, under the leadership of the Greater Akron Chamber, will have a significant impact on our community’s ability to lead in sustainability, manufacturing, and commercialization. This is just another example of the CHIPS and Science Act delivering for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.”

The 31 Tech Hubs were selected from 198 applications from regional consortia that include industry, academia, state and local governments, economic development organizations, and labor and workforce partners. The Tech Hubs span regions across 32 states and Puerto Rico and represent a cross section of urban and rural regions.

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.