Biden administration designates 31 regional tech hubs across US, including 'ReGen Valley' in NH

Oct. 23—State and federal officials are celebrating an announcement by the Biden administration Monday designating 31 technology hubs across the United States — including an area in New Hampshire dubbed "ReGen Valley" that includes Manchester and Nashua — to help spark innovation and job creation.

The 31 regional tech hubs were selected from 370 applicants, making the areas eligible for $500 million in federal funding. The $500 million comes from a $10 billion authorization in last year's CHIPS and Science Act to spur investments in new technologies, including biotech, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement the program will "supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments and creating 21st century job opportunities in people's backyards."

"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."

The ReGen Valley Consortium in New Hampshire includes: Dartmouth, Manchester Community College, Southern New Hampshire University, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of New Hampshire, City of Manchester, City of Nashua, New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, ARMI, Advanced Solutions Life Sciences, DEKA Research & Development Corporation, Catholic Medical Center, Merrimack Manufacturing, New Hampshire Hospital Alliance, Rockwell Automation, Safi Biotherapeutics, Vitro Labs, NextGen Manchester Resiliency Council, Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission, Business Finance Authority, New Hampshire AFL-CIO, New Hampshire Building, Construction and Trades Council, Manchester School District, FIRST Robotics New Hampshire, Business Association for People of Color, Granite YMCA, Amoskeag Ventures, Community Loan Fund and New Hampshire CDFA.

"The city of Manchester was glad to join as a member of the ReGen Valley Consortium, and are proud partners in unlocking the immense potential that our region holds," said Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig in a statement. "We are grateful to be home to Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute, and we look forward to continuing to act as a facilitator for collaboration across sectors, contributing to a thriving industry that benefits not only New Hampshire, but the entire nation and world."

Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess said the Gate City is "eager to work with the Consortium to build a more prosperous Southern New Hampshire."

"When we build upon our individual successes, we strengthen our regional capacity to be a leader in these industries," Donchess said in a statement. "We look forward to working collectively, and we are immensely thankful for this opportunity."

In selecting ReGen Valley, the Economic Development Administration mentioned Manchester's successful $44 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge Award as a key factor in the region's designation.

"The ReGen Valley Tech Hub, led by the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), aims to make New Hampshire a global leader in biofabrication to produce cost-effective regenerative therapies that address chronic disease and organ failure," said Economic Development Administration officials. "Amidst growing commercial demand for these therapies and building on a recent EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge award, this Tech Hub seeks to advance biofabrication-related therapies, invest in manufacturing facilities, and incubate technology startups to secure domestic regenerative therapy development and biofabrication."

"The team at the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute is grateful to Secretary Raimondo, our federal, state, and local elected leaders in New Hampshire, and our broad consortium of trusted collaborators for their commitment to the future of ReGen Valley," ARMI Executive Director Dean Kamen said in a statement. "The honor of this designation recognizes the ReGen Valley Consortium's efforts to build a vibrant, domestic biofabrication industry to fundamentally improve healthcare, while creating meaningful careers and inclusive economic growth, through a concentration of investment and expertise."

All four members of the state's congressional delegation celebrated Monday's announcement.

"I'm thrilled that the ReGen Valley Consortium has earned the Tech Hub designation from the EDA, which will accelerate Southern New Hampshire's leadership in regenerative medicine, create more good jobs and ensure the life-saving therapies of the future are developed at home — right here in New Hampshire," Sen. Shaheen said in a statement. "This designation now makes ReGen Valley eligible to compete for additional federal funding to implement its vision to become the world's biofabrication leader."

"The state-of-the-art work done by the ReGen Valley Tech Hub firmly places Manchester and New Hampshire at the forefront of developing regenerative tissues and organs," said U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-NH. "Designating Manchester as one of 31 inaugural Tech Hubs across the country further underscores the caliber of work and dedication of the partners and stakeholders in this effort."

The 31 tech hubs are located in Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Montana, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Virginia, New Hampshire, Missouri, Kansas, Maryland, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Minnesota, Louisiana, Idaho, Wyoming, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, New York, Nevada, Missouri, Oregon, Vermont, Ohio, Maine, Washington and Puerto Rico.