Economic Recovery Support Team Hosts Florida Site Visits Following Hurricane Idalia
On February 28, the Atlanta Region’s Milton Cochran, who manages the Department of Commerce’s Economic Recovery Support Function responsibilities, was in Hamilton County, Florida, a community impacted by Hurricane Idalia in 2023. There, he met the Hamilton County Development Authority, local leaders, and regional stakeholders. Cochran then conducted a similar site visit in Madison County, where he met with representatives from the Madison County Development Council and the local Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of these events was to assess the needs of these communities as they continue to recover from the storm and to connect them with state and federal resources to advance recovery efforts.
On Wednesday, April 10, the Industries of the Future Initiative will host a related webinar entitled Expanding Florida's Aquaculture: Insights and Innovations. The session will address the current state of aquaculture in the region, the role of innovation and technology, and strategies for fostering a sustainable aquaculture community. The session will begin at 2:00pm ET. To register for this event, please click here.
Accelerate North Carolina Coalition to Participate in Community of Practice Webinar
On Wednesday April 3, the Building Better Regions Community of Practice will host a webinar called Pathways to Prosperity in the BULLS Life Sciences Academy. This event will showcase Made in Durham, a member of the Accelerate North Carolina - Life Sciences Manufacturing Coalition, which received $25 million in funding through EDA's Build Back Better Regional Challenge. They will address their work in identifying and addressing gaps in Durham's education-to-career system. This event will begin at 2:00pm ET. To register, please click here,
Atlanta Region Coalitions Receive Funding Through NSF's Regional Innovation Engines Program
On January 29, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the ten inaugural winners of its new Regional Innovation Engines program. Included among the awardees are three coalitions from EDA’s Atlanta Region:
The NSF program complements EDA’s Tech Hubs program. NSF Engines awards support place-based research and development to transform regions into world-leading hubs of innovation. The Tech Hubs program focuses on scaling, commercializing, and manufacturing tech-based innovations to strengthen U.S. leadership in critical technology.
Tech Hubs Phase 2 Applications Submitted
On October 23, EDA announced the Phase 1 winners for the new Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) program, seven of which are in states represented by the Atlanta Regional Office. EDA’s Tech Hubs team has begun evaluating applications for the Tech Hubs Phase 2 Notice of Funding Opportunity. EDA expects to award implementation funding to 5-10 Designated Tech Hubs, with each one receiving approximately $40-$70 million across approximately 3-8 projects. Grants are expected to be announced this summer.
