University of Illinois’s iFAB hub awarded more than $50 million

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A tech hub at the University of Illinois was awarded a multi-million dollar grant from the federal government.

The White House announced Tuesday 12 tech hubs across the nation are getting $504 million from the Economic Development Administration, including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s iFAB Tech Hub which is receiving $51 million. The money comes from the CHIPS and Science Act, which has allocated the EDA to give $10 billion over the course of five years.

“Today’s announcement that the Department of Commerce is investing $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,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a news release.

The EDA selected iFab tech hub as one of 31 regional technology hubs in November.

iFAB works to improve domestic biomanufacturing production by increasing capacity and developing new bio-based products. The tech hub also works to improve the Central Illinois ag tech workforce.

State leaders are celebrating iFAB being selected for the funding.

“I’m so pleased iFAB is receiving this critical Tech Hub funding, unlocking innovation, investment and job creation for years to come,” Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) said. “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.”

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, whose district includes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, echoed the sentiment.

“The $51 million federal investment in the iFAB Tech Hub is a game changer for Central Illinois,” Congresswoman Budzinski (D-IL) said. “For years, our region has been leading the nation in groundbreaking agricultural research. The funding announced today will build on that foundation with explosive economic growth and place Decatur, Monticello and Champaign at the center of a booming bioeconomy.”

More information the federal government’s Tech Hubs program can be found on the EDA’s website. Research and other information about iFAB can be found on the University of Illinois’s website.

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