South Carolina tech hub awarded an estimated $45M in federal funding

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A South Carolina tech hub has been awarded a slice of $504 million in federal funding — and was one of 12 chosen from a roster of 31 designees.

The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, 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, according to a news release.

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, the release stated.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce is the lead agency for the local initiative, dubbed SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy, covering South Carolina and Georgia. The technology focus is clean energy supply chain.

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“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 in the release. “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.”

South Carolina’s tech hub aims to be a global leader in advanced energy, with a focus on cyber-secure grid resilience technologies and improving the clean energy supply chain, according to its website. The initiative will leverage the region’s manufacturing base, research capabilities, and public-private collaboration to innovate and commercialize emerging energy storage materials and manufacturing techniques, including a demonstrative microgrid implementation that integrates renewable energy and storage into the state’s electricity systems, the website states.

“Through the Tech Hubs program, we are maintaining our competitive edge by advancing America’s leadership in commercializing critical emerging tech sectors. And we’re leveraging the diverse talent and resources that currently exist across the country to achieve this goal,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s commitment to his investing in America agenda, these 12 Tech Hubs 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.”

President Biden announced the selection of 31 Tech Hubs Designees in October 2023. EDA has selected projects for funding in each of the 12 Hubs below, with award amounts to be finalized in the coming months.