WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) urges the administration to support a sustainable polymer tech hub in Akron as the application deadline for the next round of consideration for the Regional Tech Hubs program closes today. I called out. Brown is led by U.S. Representatives Max Miller (R-OH-07), Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13), Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), and Mike Carey (R-OH-11). 15), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), and David Joyce (R-OH-14) in a letter to the Economic Development Department supporting Akron's application.
Akron is one of 31 hubs selected from nearly 500 applicants to be considered for the final round of funding, the Induction Award. Approximately 5-10 hubs will be selected to carry out the mission, each of which will give him a bounty of between 20 million and 70 million dollars. In conjunction with this designation, Akron also previously received a $400,000 Strategic Development Grant to the consortium to support regional coordination and planning efforts. This investment builds on Akron's historic leadership in the rubber industry and positions the region to lead the development and production of sustainable polymers, the next generation of rubber and plastics.
“Famous as the “Rubber Capital of the World,'' Akron has been a leader in the polymer industry since the early 1900s. The city's history, combined with the state's rich manufacturing history, makes Northeast Ohio a It is a great place to invest in a technology hub focused on polymer and advanced materials manufacturing and research and development.” the lawmakers wrote. “The proposed Sustainable Polymer Technology Hub will advance Ohio’s manufacturing economy by strengthening existing investments and leveraging continued economic growth and continued collaboration for success. There is no better place to make this investment than Northeast Ohio.”
The Department of Commerce's Tech Hub program was created by Brown's. chips method To drive regional technology growth by strengthening the region's capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies, and Brown prompted The Department of Commerce asked for projects located in Ohio to be selected. Mr. Brown has been a leader and instrumental in creating new manufacturing opportunities for Ohio. 2022 CHIPS and Science Law which one boosted Intel is expected to invest $20 billion to build a semiconductor factory in New Albany, creating 10,000 jobs. Brown in August called The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration has asked that Ohio consider the value of establishing a regional technology hub (tech hub) to continue the state's leadership in manufacturing and innovation.
For more than a decade, Mr. Brown has long supported the University of Akron's investments in polymer research. Brown in July fought The amendment designating rubber as a critical material in the national defense authority would allow the Department of Defense to take steps to address research and development efforts to increase the domestic supply of natural rubber. In 2022, Brown announced two separate National Science Foundation awards totaling approximately $1 million to the University of Akron for polymer research.
You can read Mr. Brown's letter. here Or less.
Dear Secretary Raimondo:
As the Economic Development Authority (EDA) moves forward with the final selection of regional technology innovation hubs (“Tech Hubs”) to receive Phase II implementation funding, we are pleased to announce that the Greater Akron Chamber (GAC). With financial support from EDA, we will help the Greater Akron region leverage its collective assets to ensure the region realizes its potential as a globally competitive leader in sustainable polymers. I believe it will.
Known as the “Rubber Capital of the World,” Akron has been a leader in the polymer industry since the early 1900s. We believe that the city's history, combined with the state's rich manufacturing history, makes Northeast Ohio the perfect place to invest in a tech hub focused on polymer and advanced materials manufacturing and research and development. I strongly believe that. The Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub proposal originates from the Polymers Industry Cluster (PIC), also led by GAC, and aims to drive critical polymer and advanced materials innovation in the sustainability, mobility, healthcare, and semiconductor industries. . We understand that polymers touch every industry sector, and we believe this tech hub will help ensure Northeast Ohio becomes a global epicenter for innovation in future technology. believe.
As explained in the application, PIC is comprised of more than 50 partners, including 38 industry participants and three higher education institutions. PIC leaders have provided us with a framework that will maximize the potential of Ohio's polymer industry and deliver long-term economic growth and success. In addition to EDA funding, this effort will draw on state-level investments through vehicles like the Ohio Innovation Hub program, as well as previous federal investments such as America Makes and MAGNET, to complement the projects in this proposed tech hub. We understand that this will also benefit the public. Foster productive public-private partnerships and stimulate advanced manufacturing.
We have witnessed how Akron’s existing polymer manufacturing ecosystem provides a local pipeline from education and training to the workforce. World-class institutions included in the PIC include the University of Akron (ranked No. 1 in polymer science and plastics engineering by global ranking side EduRank), Kent State University (designated Carnegie R1 and specializing in liquid crystals); ) and Case Western University. University (also designated as Carnegie R1 and has a strong polymer program). We understand that PIC partners are also investing in industry-led workforce training programs in collaboration with universities and community colleges supported by grants from the Ohio Industry Sector Partnership Program . Additionally, we understand that local nonprofits like ConxusNEO can partner with OhioMeansJobs to help streamline the trajectory of talent for our Tech Hub workforce. The applicants also intend to coordinate with trade unions through the region's trilateral regional labor councils to ensure the creation of quality jobs for workers of all educational levels and socio-economic backgrounds. I also understand that.
For all of these reasons, the Sustainable Polymer Technology Hub proposal advances Ohio's manufacturing economy in a way that strengthens existing investments and leverages continued collaboration for continued economic growth and success. I believe that it will. This application demonstrates the consortium's key technical focus areas, including advanced energy and advanced materials science. We are also confident that the consortium's collective efforts will promote equitable growth of jobs and businesses in Greater Akron, making the region a globally competitive technology hub for sustainable polymers within 10 years. I am. We believe this will increase Ohio's ability to grow and retain existing companies, attract new business and investment, and solidify Ohio's position as a world leader in polymers and advanced materials. We believe there is no better place to make this investment than in Northeast Ohio.
It's time to put the term “Rust Belt” to rest and unleash the Midwest's full technological potential in the 21st century economy. We express our support for this effort and urge you to consider the value that investing in advanced polymer development and manufacturing in Akron, Ohio, brings to our nation's supply chain, national security, and sustainability goals. Masu. If you have any questions regarding support, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
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