U.S. Department of Commerce Awards Approximately $45 Million Tech Hubs Grant to Strengthen the Microfluidics Industry in Oregon

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, [email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has selected the Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub, led by Oregon State University, for an approximately $45 million Tech Hubs grant to implement two projects that aim to establish Oregon as a global leader in the development, scaling, and commercialization of microfluidics technology for use in semiconductor cooling, continuous flow processing, and biotechnology.

The Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub is among six Tech Hubs to receive awards from additional funding for the Tech Hubs Program through the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The grant will support implementation of two projects that include:

• building and outfitting a facility at which growing companies and entrepreneurs can access world-class equipment and expertise to demonstrate and scale up innovative microfluidics technologies and applications; and

• operating a unique accelerator where companies can advance and commercialize their innovative microfluidics technologies through access to training, entrepreneur support, funding, and scale-up consulting as well as a robust network of community organizations, entrepreneurs, venture development firms, workforce development boards, government agencies, and three top-tier research universities.

“To out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world, we need to ensure we’re investing in the industries of the future that will drive American innovation, manufacturing, and workforce to succeed in a 21st century economy – that's how America maintains its competitive edge,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The Tech Hubs Program and this latest allocation of funds are the result of bipartisan cooperation in Congress – I hope that good-faith work will endure so we can continue to invest in these centers of excellence across the nation, which in return, are providing good-paying jobs in industries of the future and helping to strengthen U.S. economic and national security.”

“We are so pleased that bipartisan support in Congress for the Tech Hubs Program will allow us to make even more impactful investments in the future of America’s economy,” said Cristina Killingsworth, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This implementation funding will empower the Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub to spur job growth, attract private investment, and fortify its regional economy as a global leader in microfluidics.”

“Another huge win for Oregon’s storied semiconductor industry is in the books!” This major funding boost further cements our state’s leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, all while creating good-paying local jobs in the process,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “The Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub will leverage Oregon State University and their partners to be at the forefront of tomorrow’s technologies for everything from semiconductor chip cooling to lifesaving medical breakthroughs.”

“Creating rural jobs in the semiconductor industry has been part of the promise of public and private sector partners working on CorMic,” said Representative Val Hoyle (Or-4). “This funding supports the world-class, cutting-edge research at Oregon State University and its partners, like the University of Oregon. This award builds on Oregon’s microchip innovation and development and gives our upcoming generation an opportunity to find good tech jobs right here at home. I’d like to thank the entire Oregon delegation and Secretary Raimondo for helping make this a reality.”

The Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub is among 31 Tech Hubs designated in October 2023 by President Biden to scale up the production of critical technologies, create jobs in innovative industries, strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and national security, and accelerate the growth of industries of the future in regions across the United States.  

Last year, the Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub received a $500,000 Consortium Accelerator Award to continue implementing their strategies, including the pursuit of additional capital. 

Learn more about the Tech Hubs Program at 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.