Rep. Sykes Announces New Tech Hub in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District to Support Sustainable Polymers Technology
AKRON, OH — Today, Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced that the Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), has designated the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District as one of the 31 inaugural Tech Hubs in regions across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors, investing $399,672 into the program.
“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 Rep. Sykes. “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.”
“It’s exciting to see progress in the work we’ve done with our industry and economic development partners over the last couple years to double down on our region’s legacy in polymers to create a new future for advanced materials that are both functional and sustainable. Being selected for the designation AND strategy development grant is both validating for our work and another step toward investing in our region’s future. We knew competition for this would be fierce, but remain confident that our region brings deep history, scientific know-how and huge capacity for innovation and the advances in sustainability that industry needs. We appreciate the support and the investment in what’s next for advanced, sustainable polymers. Our region has the history, innovative capacity, and manufacturing density to advance new growth industries supporting semi-conductor manufacturing and electric vehicle, battery, and health care technologies. This designation is one more step for us as we re-invent the legacy of our region in advanced materials,” said Steve Millard, President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber.
In August, Rep. Sykes sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castiillo in support of the Greater Akron Chamber’s application for funding under the EDA’s first phase of the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program (Tech Hubs program) authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act. See a copy of the letter here.
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.
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.