Biden-Harris Administration’s Tech Hubs Program awards approximately US$51 million to the iFAB Tech Hub in Illinois

The Biden-Harris Administration, through the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), has announced that it is slated to award approximately US$51 million to the iFAB Tech Hub, a consortium led by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, to implement four projects that will bolster the region’s ability to scale up the production and delivery of critical technologies that will advance food and industrial applications of biotechnology.

In October 2023, the iFAB Tech Hub was selected as one of 31 Designated Tech Hubs in regions across the country as part of Phase 1 of the new Tech Hubs Program, a flagship initiative aimed at advancing US leadership in critical technologies and industries. The designation is a strong endorsement of the consortium’s regional plan to supercharge its respective critical technology ecosystem and become a global leader over the next decade.

“Every American deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter where they live," said Vice President Kamala Harris. "Today’s announcement that the Department of Commerce is investing US$504 million in Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs across the country will ensure that the benefits of the industries of the future – from artificial intelligence and clean energy, to biotechnology and more – are shared with communities that have been overlooked for far too long, including rural, Tribal, industrial, and disadvantaged communities. These Tech Hubs will give regions across our nation the resources and opportunities necessary to lead in the economy of tomorrow while creating good-paying jobs for American workers.”

“President Biden has been clear that you shouldn’t have to move to one of a handful of cities to get a good-paying job in tech. Now, thanks to the Tech Hubs program, we’re making good on that sentiment by expanding America’s innovation ecosystem and creating economic opportunity in new technology sectors all over the country,” added US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s commitment to his Investing in America agenda, the iFAB Tech Hub and the other Tech Hub awardees will play a critical role in accelerating America’s leadership in the industries of the future, all while creating high quality, family-sustaining 21st century jobs in people’s backyards.”

As one of 12 Tech Hub Designees selected for implementation funding, the iFAB Tech Hub will leverage this award to support projects that are: upgrading and expanding existing facilities to allow for more companies to commercialize precision fermentation technologies and increase production capacity; sharing equipment, expanding capital access, and contracting research organizations to attract global companies to the region and to foster and retain home-grown entrepreneurs; and designing and implementing sector-specific training across skill levels for incumbent employees, out-of-school youth, and other underrepresented constituencies in the biomanufacturing workforce.

The final grant amount will be finalized in the coming months.

The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB Tech Hub) seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. By leveraging its regional assets in corn and soy feedstocks, food processing infrastructure, and research leadership, this Tech Hub will provide a domestic biomanufacturing testbed through the development and deployment of multi-use pilot and demonstration capacity and equipment for biomanufacturing innovators, while also training a skilled workforce. The iFAB Tech Hub seeks to advance fermentation technology by making it possible to create zero-emission, high-value products from agricultural commodities. (Click here to learn more about the iFAB Tech Hub.)

“With today’s news, Illinois will remain a global leader in biotechnology and biomanufacturing – especially in critical fields like food and agriculture – and will stimulate local economies, and improve food security for decades to come,” said Illinois Senator Dick Durbin. “I commend the Biden-Harris Administration for their innovative CHIPS and Science Act, and for establishing the Tech Hubs program. I look forward to seeing all iFAB can achieve for future generations.”

“I’m so pleased iFAB is receiving this critical Tech Hub funding, unlocking innovation, investment and job creation for years to come,” said Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth. “Illinois is already a hub of agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and technology, making our state ideally positioned for these Tech Hub awards. I was proud to help pass the CHIPS and Science Act, and I’m thrilled that with programs like iFAB we’re making it clear our state has the projects and innovation ready to harness the law’s new investments and help bring our state, nation and world into the future.”

The Tech Hubs Program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which he signed into law in August 2022. The statute authorized US$10 billion for the program over five years. To date, EDA has been appropriated US$541 million for the program.