Great Lakes Wire

LANSING, Mich.—Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and the Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO), in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, announced May on 10, 2023, MI Tech Hub, a series of meetings to drive regional collaboration and secure federal funding from the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) program. Sessions are planned for East Lansing on May 10, Grand Rapids on May 12, Northern Michigan on May 16, and Ann Arbor on May 17.  A session was held Friday, May 5 in Detroit. 

 “Michigan is poised to lead the region and the nation as the best place to pioneer cutting-edge technology, conduct groundbreaking research, and pursue transformative innovations,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “As the home of the #1 emerging startup ecosystem, the epicenter for mobility innovation, and the fastest growing clean energy sector in the country, there is no better place for an EDA tech hub than Michigan. MI Tech Hub will foster meaningful collaboration across the state so that we can secure this critical federal funding. Let’s keep working together to create the strongest environment for launching great companies, growing our economy, and building a Michigan where everyone can envision a bright future for themselves.” 

 Currently, $500 million in federal funding is available for regional Tech Hubs focused on accelerating innovation in key industries of the future such as automation, AI, nuclear technology and more. MI Tech Hub will allow representatives from the state to communicate Michigan’s approach to capturing funding while providing a platform for those already engaged in Tech Hub planning to share their priorities and concerns. Funding could generate a significant indirect knock-on impact of an estimated $1.5 billion.

 “Our state has become a hub for technological innovation, and it’s crucial that we have the necessary infrastructure to support this growth,” said Michigan Infrastructure Officer Zach Kolodin. “Billions of dollars of federal funding is available to Michigan, which can play a critical role in spurring tech innovation and growth. We’re looking forward to traveling across the state to work together on finding a way to make sure those funds are captured and utilized effectively.”

 Convenings will include discussions surrounding key learnings, data, opportunities and more. Using feedback from the meetings, MIO seeks to create a shared understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of Michigan, help organizations capture available funding and establish a framework of continued engagement to secure funding for additional projects that drive economic mobility.

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