Biden-Harris Administration Awards Planning Grant to Advance the Biomanufacturing Sector in Mississippi

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced that the Southeast Biotech Collaborative Strategy Development Consortium in University, Mississippi, was awarded a Tech Hubs Strategy Development Grant to develop a regional strategy to advance biomanufacturing, biologistics, and precision population health to increase the supply of pharmaceuticals manufactured in the United States.

The Southeast Biotech Collaborative Strategy Development Consortium, led by the University of Mississippi, will leverage the grant to increase local coordination and planning activities to strengthen its region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy technologies critical to U.S. economic and national security. The Tech Hubs Program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, is investing in U.S. regions and aims to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers. This consortium was selected for a grant from a competitive pool of 181 applications.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rooted in policies that will empower the United States to out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world. Our Tech Hubs Program is fundamental to that mission and will supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments and creating 21st century job opportunities in people’s backyards,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Each of these consortia will help us ensure the industries of the future—and their good-paying jobs—start, grow, and remain in the United States.”

“These outstanding consortia exemplify place-based economic development strategies at their best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “As each region develops its own strategy to catalyze innovation and job creation, the entire nation grows more secure and more competitive.”

“The Southeast Biotech Collaborative is on the path to transforming research and development in our region. This planning grant is a positive step that will help this Mississippi-led coalition compete on a global scale,” said Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker.

“The Tech Hub designation will serve as a springboard for showcasing the remarkable research and development capabilities of Mississippi schools and institutions as they work alongside partners in the South to find solutions that could truly benefit the wellbeing of so many people,” said Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.

“I applaud the awarding of a Tech Hub designation to the Southeast Biotech Collaborative, which will be a tremendous asset for our state. This is a great opportunity for our Mississippi economy and the future of our great state. I’m proud to have joined my colleagues in the Mississippi Congressional Delegation in supporting this important effort on behalf of the people of Mississippi,” said Representative Michael Guest (MS-03).

For a full list of Tech Hubs, visit TechHubs.gov.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.