CFA celebrates two Tech Hub wins

Two coalitions supported by CFA have been awarded recognition under the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs Program. The Colorado Elevate Quantum Consortium received one of 31 Tech Hub designations nationwide. This opens the door for the consortium to apply for up to $75 million in implementation funding. In Utah, the Advanced Manufacturing of Critical Materials Strategy Development Consortium, led by the Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI), received a Strategy Development Grant (SDG) of approximately $450,000.

Elevate Quantum, who were also supported by TechHubNow!, aim to usher in a new era of quantum technology in the Centennial State. Flagship programs will build awareness of quantum jobs as early as K-12, with a focus on underserved communities.

For UAMMI, the Tech Hubs SDG highlights Utah’s potential to become an epicenter of the critical materials industry, addressing a crucial national security and economic need. Their strategy will redefine Utah’s critical materials landscape. It will also cultivate a generation of skilled professionals ready to lead the industry into the future. Consortium partners include local schools and leaders in STEM and 4-H programming. These partners will ensure that workforce development, earth stewardship, and skills alignment begin in K-12 education.

CFA supported both consortia in their Tech Hubs bid. It provided coalition-building support and deep technical assistance in developing winning applications. CFA will also provide implementation and further planning support to both coalitions. It will help to make sure K-12 is front and center in these critical regional development initiatives.

“CFA’s work specifically ensured that the applications were centered around diversity, equity and inclusion, that they explicitly developed plans for scaling new, region-wide workforce pathways in support of these emerging tech categories, and that the final grant submissions were of the highest quality,” said JB Holston, Strategic Advisor to Colorado TechHubNow!. “Without [CFA], Colorado would not have been competitive for Tech Hubs.”

“We are so appreciative of CFA’s coaching, which led to this winning proposal,” said Dr. Tulinda Larsen, President of UAMMI.

Read the official press release here.