Headwaters Hub
Lead Agency: Accelerate Montana
State Served: Montana
Applicant-Defined Region: Missoula and Bozeman MSAs, Kalispell and Butte–Silver Bow μSAs
Core Technology Area: smart photonic sensor systems
Contact: Dr. Tim VanReken ([email protected])
The Headwaters Hub, led by Accelerate Montana, aims to become a global leader in smart, autonomous, photonic remote sensing technologies. This Tech Hub will leverage regional assets—including a concentration of photonics companies and the diverse geographic landscape of western Montana—to integrate remote sensing systems with advances in embedded processors with built-in artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. In doing so, the consortium seeks to develop and deploy smart photonic sensing systems coupled with autonomous systems to address critical defense, resource management, and disaster prevention needs.
The Headwaters Hub will help overcome barriers to the advancement and broad adoption of autonomous technologies in critical use areas that are vital to U.S. economic and national security.
In July 2024, EDA recommended this Tech Hub receive grant funding of approximately $41 million to implement five projects, including:
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Supporting final-stage testing of technologies by creating environmentally specific testbeds in rugged terrain, precision agriculture, and roadway settings;
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Building the region’s photonics sector by increasing four-year degree opportunities in related fields, utilizing skills-based approaches to train and place workers, and extending on-ramps to Native and rural students across educational levels to access careers in the smart-sensing industry; and
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Establishing and supporting structured pathways for robust engagement across its network to ensure projects stay on track and augment one another by identifying best practices, adjusting course, and building on successes and lessons learned.
To ensure that the impacts of these projects benefit the entire region, components of the strategy are led by Tribal and two-year colleges, and activities include providing robust wrap-around services for workforce development participants.
Strategy Development Grant Amount: $449,290
Designee Narrative (PDF) (submitted by the designee in its Phase 2 application package)
Additional Designations Earned in Region
