Biden-Harris Administration Awards Planning Grant to Accelerate AI and Machine Learning for Medical Device Manufacturing in Phoenix, Arizona

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced that the Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier Strategy Development Consortium in Phoenix, Arizona, was awarded a Tech Hubs Strategy Development Grant to accelerate a regional strategy to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies in smart medical device manufacturing, bolstering domestic manufacturing production capacity and processes, and building pathways for inclusive economic growth.

The Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier Strategy Development Consortium, a consortium led by the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, will leverage the grant to increase local coordination and planning activities to strengthen its region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy technologies critical to U.S. economic and national security. The Tech Hubs Program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, is investing in U.S. regions and aims to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers. This consortium was selected for a grant from a competitive pool of 181 applications.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rooted in policies that will empower the United States to out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world. Our Tech Hubs Program is fundamental to that mission and will supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments and creating 21st century job opportunities in people’s backyards,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Each of these consortia will help us ensure the industries of the future—and their good-paying jobs—start, grow, and remain in the United States.”

“These outstanding consortia exemplify place-based economic development strategies at their best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “As each region develops its own strategy to catalyze innovation and job creation, the entire nation grows more secure and more competitive.”

“Thanks to our leadership, Phoenix will receive critical federal funding to boost manufacturing, medical research, and development, creating jobs, growing Arizona’s economy, and ensuring our state remains a great state to grow a business and call home for generations to come,” said Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema.

“This award is going to strengthen Arizona’s leadership in cutting edge bioscience innovation, creating more opportunities for investment and creating jobs,” said Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. “The Regional Technology Hub program we created as a part of the CHIPS and Science Act is designed to identify high-growth regions for critical industries, like Phoenix, so that we outcompete China and other adversaries in critical technology. I’ll continue to work closely with Secretary Raimondo, Assistant Secretary Castillo, and leaders in Phoenix to ensure this is a success for our state and the country.”

“Thanks to our work to get the CHIPS and Science Act signed into law, Arizona is already becoming an economic and national security engine for the entire country. Now, this new Hub will combine the Valley’s renowned AI and machine learning research with our cutting edge medical technology manufacturing, creating good-paying jobs and improving health outcomes for Arizonans,” said Representative Ruben Gallego (AZ-03).

For a full list of Tech Hubs, visit 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.