Allegheny Science & Technology Selected for US EDA Strategy Development Grant
Bridgeport, WV – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently announced the selection of 31 Tech Hubs and awarded 29 Strategy Development Grants.
The West Virginia Advanced Energy and Industrial Technology Manufacturing (WV-AEIM) consortium, led by Allegheny Science & Technology (AST), a WV-based woman-owned company specializing in energy, information technology, ESG, and advanced manufacturing solutions, was selected for a Tech Hubs Strategy Development Award. These funds will be applied towards further developing the regional partnerships and technology-based economic development strategy of WV-AEIM for future designation opportunities.
The Tech Hubs were 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. This marks the inaugural stage of the innovative Tech Hubs program, a forward-looking economic development endeavor geared towards fueling regional innovation and employment growth. Its primary objective is to bolster a region’s capabilities in producing, marketing, and implementing technology that will elevate America’s competitive edge. The program involves direct investments in promising, high-potential U.S. regions with the goal of reshaping them into internationally competitive hubs of innovation.
“We are excited to bring innovation, leading-edge research, and imagination to our great state of West Virginia,” said Arria Hines, CEO of AST. “This recognition was the result of an intensely competitive selection process that drew nearly 200 applications from across the nation. It serves as a testament to the remarkable innovation unfolding within our great state of WV. Moreover, it sets the stage for the emergence of thousands of new employment opportunities that will benefit a diverse spectrum of individuals in WV.”
WV-AEIM’s two-fold mission aims to produce advanced energy products and component parts while employing advanced manufacturing technologies to decarbonize the manufacturing process itself. This collaboration is a testament to the collective commitment of public and private entities towards fostering innovation, creating high-quality jobs, and positioning West Virginia as a leader in the rapidly evolving landscape of advanced energy and industrial technology manufacturing.
“Beyond addressing critical regional challenges and fostering economic growth, our strategic approach places diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility at its core. We recognize that progress must not come at the expense of people or the environment of WV,” said Priya Swamy, Executive Director of the consortium.
WV-AEIM members include:
- AST (Lead Applicant)
- AmeriCarbon
- Chemical Alliance Zone (CAZ)
- Form Energy
- Global Project Finance Advisory Council (GPFAC)
- Hino Motors
- Marshall University Advanced Manufacturing Center
- National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
- West Virginia State Building and Construction Trades Council / AFL-CIO (Unions)
- West Virginia Women Work (WVWW)
- Wyoming County Economic Development Authority (WCEDA)
“Empowering the women of West Virginia has always been at the heart of our mission, and this collaboration signals a new era of innovation, said Carol Phillips, Executive Director of WV Women Work, Inc. (WVWW). “Being a part of the WV-AEIM consortium signifies a pivotal moment for us, as it directly aligns with our vision of advancing women in the technological and industrial sectors. We’re proud to stand alongside these esteemed partners and we are fully committed to ensuring that the future of advanced energy and industrial technology manufacturing in West Virginia is inclusive, diverse, and brimming with opportunities for women across the state.”
“The recent announcement highlights a notable milestone for West Virginia, emphasizing our emerging role for cutting-edge technology and across the nation,” stated Secretary of Economic Development, Mitch Carmichael. “Guided by Governor Jim Justice, WV is poised to take a leading role in this initiative, focusing on advanced energy manufacturing to decarbonize the production of clean energy technologies. This effort aims to propel technology advancements, ensuring that the industries of the future, along with their well-paying jobs, thrive within the state.”
The 31 Tech Hubs were selected from 198 applications from regional consortia that include industry, academia, state and local governments, economic development organizations, and labor and workforce partners. The Tech Hubs span regions across 32 states and Puerto Rico and represent a cross section of urban and rural regions.
For a full list of Tech Hubs, visit TechHubs.gov.
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