Department of Commerce funds the ‘South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub’ to strengthen the region as a global leader in clean energy

Approximately $19 million to the ‘South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub’, a consortium led by Miami Dade County Innovation and Economic Development Office in Florida, to implement three projects that will bolster the region’s ability to scale up the production and delivery of critical technologies that will strengthen America’s clean energy transition. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced another funding round of approximately $504 million in implementation grants to 12 Tech Hubs 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. The Tech Hubs Program is a flagship initiative of President Biden’s Administration to invest in and grow the economies in communities across the country, advancing America’s global leadership in critical technologies, and strengthening our national and economic security.

In October 2023, South Florida Climate Resilience Tech Hub was selected as one of 31 Designated Tech Hubs in regions across the country as part of Phase 1 of the new Tech Hubs Program, a flagship initiative aimed at advancing U.S. leadership in critical technologies and industries. The designation is a strong endorsement of the consortium’s regional plan to supercharge its respective critical technology ecosystem and become a global leader over the next decade.

“Every American deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter where they live. Today’s announcement that the Department of Commerce is investing $504 million in Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs across the country will ensure that the benefits of the industries of the future – from artificial intelligence and clean energy, to biotechnology and more – are shared with communities that have been overlooked for far too long, including rural, Tribal, industrial, and disadvantaged communities,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “These Tech Hubs will give regions across our nation the resources and opportunities necessary to lead in the economy of tomorrow while creating good-paying jobs for American workers.”

The South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub seeks to advance community-level climate outcomes with a focus on bringing clean cement and concrete to market and implement three projects, including: 

•  Scaling advanced concrete technologies made with reduced emissions that protect environments in low-lying areas, specifically focusing on communities most affected by extreme weather events;
• Establishing workforce development programs that offer career pathways to diverse groups through certifications, training, and apprenticeships, supplemented with wraparound services; and
• Dismantling silos within the climate and capital ecosystem to foster collaboration among government, climate justice advocates, startups, corporations, capital partners, and academia.

“President Biden has been clear that you shouldn’t have to move to one of a handful of cities to get a good-paying job in tech. Now, thanks to the Tech Hubs program, we’re making good on that sentiment by expanding America’s innovation ecosystem and creating economic opportunity in new technology sectors all over the country,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s commitment to his Investing in America agenda, the South Florida Climate Resilience Tech Hub and the other Tech Hub awardees will play a critical role in accelerating America’s leadership in the industries of the future, all while creating high quality, family-sustaining 21st century jobs in people’s backyards.”

The South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub aims to advance its global leadership in sustainable and resilient infrastructure (SRI) solutions for the global climate crisis. Building off the region’s unique combination of resources such as its coastal and marine infrastructure, cluster of clean cement and energy efficiency building industries, and academic and research institutions, this Tech Hub will jumpstart SRI innovation by developing, commercializing, and scaling SRI technologies, focused on climate adaptation and mitigation. The South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub seeks to advance community-level climate outcomes with a focus on bringing clean cement and concrete to market.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo was in Miami on July 2nd to announce $19 million in funding for the Tech Hubs program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act. During her speech held at Florida International University, she announced, “There are 12 Tech Hubs being announced today – $504 million to jump start the U.S. Innovative Economy.”

The South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub aims to advance its global leadership in sustainable and resilient infrastructure (SRI) solutions for the global climate crisis. Building off the region’s unique combination of resources such as its coastal and marine infrastructure, cluster of clean cement and energy efficiency building industries, and academic and research institutions, this Tech Hub will jumpstart SRI innovation by developing, commercializing, and scaling SRI technologies, focused on climate adaptation and mitigation. The South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub seeks to advance community-level climate outcomes with a focus on bringing clean cement and concrete to market.

“The 31 Tech Hubs Designees exemplify place-based economic development strategies at their best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities.  We’re excited to see this initial round of implementation funding supporting a surge of new jobs, new technologies, and new energy to bolster America’s competitiveness,” said Alejandra Y. Castillo.

“Innovative research that generates cutting-edge technology to solve some of the most pressing issues is the reason why FIU is at the epicenter of the major infrastructure thrust of the South Florida Climate Resilience Tech Hub,” said FIU President Kenneth A. Jessell. “Along with our South Florida consortium of partners, FIU is focused on advancing sustainable and resilient infrastructure innovation by developing, commercializing, and scaling technologies focused on climate adaptation and mitigation.”

Of the $19 million coming to the South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub, $10 million will go to FIU for projects that include:

• Technology Development and Maturation. Accelerate the readiness and expand deployment of cement technologies such as those developed by Titan America, FIU’s Ultra High Performance Concrete, and CaptureCrete, developed by Carbon Limit. In all cases, these aim to ensure durability, reducing concrete emissions and in some cases, turning concrete into a carbon-absorbing sponge.
• Climate Ready Infrastructure Innovation Center. Over the next five years, partners will provide services and mentorship to at least 60 infrastructure innovation startups and small businesses. Companies will have access to research and development equipment, fabrication space, deployment opportunities, production facilities, technology testing and validation and experts in academia and industry. Additional support provided will include market segmentation and access to capital.
• Industry Codes and Standards. Consortium institutions will provide expertise and input for improvement of building codes and standards, work on policies to incorporate new materials and technologies, and give regulators guidance on which standards to enforce and recommendations to streamline the approval process.

“I commend the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration for awarding $19 million to the South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub,” said Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20). “This crucial investment will bolster South Florida’s capacity to lead in the clean energy sector, enhance our climate security, and create high-quality, sustainable jobs for our community. This initiative is a testament to the Administration’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis, while promoting economic prosperity and equity.”

“President Biden is keeping his promise to invest in clean, climate-resilient technology across our country,” said Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22). “The South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub will bring good-paying jobs and workforce development programs to the area, strengthening our economy while modernizing our infrastructure to confront the climate crisis.”

“South Florida remains at the forefront of the climate crisis, and I am proud of the Biden-Harris Administration’s investment in the region through the South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub,” said Representative Frederica Wilson (FL-24). “These tech hubs are crucial in combating the escalating threat of climate change, creating jobs, fostering research, and strengthening South Florida’s infrastructure. We have witnessed the impacts of rising sea levels and extreme weather events firsthand, and this tech hub is a significant step toward mitigating climate change’s effects while simultaneously boosting our economy.”

The Tech Hubs Program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which he signed into law in August 2022. The statute authorized $10 billion for the program over five years. To date, EDA has been appropriated $541 million for the program.The United States is the global leader in research and development, and the Tech Hubs Program is designed to increase the capacity and pace with which Americans make, deliver, and deploy innovative technologies, creating new, growing companies and new, good jobs.

To read the full Press Release announcing all 12 U.S. Tech Hubs, please click here.