Image
Last week, Greater St. Louis, Inc. sent letters to every member of the metro’s 11-member congressional delegation in support of the proposed regional technology hub program included in two innovation bills being debated on Capitol Hill. Both Senate and House bills create a regional technology hub program that would designate several “tech hubs” throughout the country. If selected, regional tech hubs will have the opportunity to unlock federal funding to improve innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Read the letter below.
February 15, 2022
Dear St. Louis Metro Congressional Delegation:
On behalf of Greater St. Louis, Inc. and our public policy initiative, ChamberSTL, we write to express support for the proposed regional technology hub program included in the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (S. 1260) and the America COMPETES Act (H.R. 4521).
The proposed regional technology hub program would designate several technology “hubs” throughout the country. Only selected hubs would be eligible for the program’s implementation grants, which could be used for a broad array of activities, from addressing capital access to workforce development. In addition, the program includes strategy development grants that could be awarded to entities in regions not selected as a hub.
While both House and Senate versions include the regional technology hub program framework, Greater St. Louis, Inc. supports the Senate’s authorization levels of $9.4 billion for the program’s implementation grants and $575 million for development grants. As Congress works to resolve the differences in the two bills, we request that you urge your colleagues to maintain the Senate’s technology hub program funding authorization levels.
Due to the profound opportunity this program could have on our local, regional, and national economy, we urge you to support the regional technology hub program. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tracy at Tracy@GreaterSTLinc.com or Adam Kazda, Director of Government Relations, at Adam@GreaterSTLinc.com.
Sincerely,
Jason R. Hall Chief Executive Officer Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Tracy A. Henke Chief Policy Officer, Greater St. Louis, Inc. President, ChamberSTL