ϱ the ϱ Regional Technology and Innovation Hub
Led by the University Center for Economic Development, part of The College of Business at the University of ϱ, Reno, the ϱ Regional Technology and Innovation Hub was designated as one of 31 regional technology and innovation hubs on October 23, 2023 by the U.S. Economic Development Administration as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The ϱ Regional Technology and Innovation Hub is designated as a ‘critical elements’ tech hub.
The ϱ Regional Technology and Innovation Hub includes 16 of ϱ’s 17 counties, seven of ϱ’s eight regional economic development authorities, and both of ϱ’s U.S. Economic Development Administration Economic Development Districts and includes over 70 consortium members spanning the public sector, private sector, and various non-profit and community-based organizations.
This multi-pronged effort to build ϱ’s capabilities in every aspect of the lifecycle of lithium and other EV materials, from extraction to processing to advanced manufacturing to recycling, it part of a highly coordinated, regional push to transform ϱ’s economy to on that is inclusive, reliable, and capable of meeting the national security, climate change mitigation and economic development needs of the nation.
Goals and Objectives of the ϱ Regional Technology and Innovation Hub
Through targeted business creation and business expansion efforts, the ϱ Regional Technology and Innovation Hub will seek to create 3,000 new businesses, expand 2,000 existing businesses, and create 50,000 new jobs over the October 2024 through September 2029 period.
ϱ Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Component Projects
The efforts of the ϱ Regional Technology and Innovation Hub are designed to support the further identification and targeting of gaps in the value network and supply chain of ϱ’s emerging lithium batteries, critical elements, and other electric vehicle materials industry sector and related sectors. Working closely with each Tech Hub Consortium member, the efforts of the ϱ Regional Technology and Innovation Hub have been divided into seven interdependent component projects.
Supply Chain Enhancement
Workforce Development
The Lithium Campus
Commercialization and Entrepreneurship
Infrastructure, Community Capacity and Housing
The ϱ Native Nations Center
Governance, Administration and Risk Mitigation
ϱ the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program
Departments and agencies across the U.S. national government are committed to supporting the global competitiveness and growth of each designated Regional Technology and Hub by offering multiple benefits. A ‘Tech Hubs Designation’ is an endorsement of a region’s plans to supercharge their respective technological industry to create jobs and strengthen U.S. economic and national security. Some of the support and benefits that designated Tech Hubs will receive include follow-up funding, branding and technical assistance, foreign direct investment, intellectual property guidance, and export assistance.
Successful designated Tech Hubs will:
- Build the Workforce of the Future: Create good jobs and attract the workforce and talent that will drive economic growth in regions across the county.
- Enable Growth: Encourage more innovative businesses to start and grow all throughout America.
- Innovate and Commercialize: Test and deploy new technologies and build infrastructure necessary to translate innovation into economic growth.
- Boost America’s Economic and National Security: Strengthen communities’ economic resilience and maintain our technological edge.
