Philly awarded designation through nationally competitive program; Southeastern Pennsylvania further established as leader in precision medicine, life sciences sectors
Congress created Tech Hub program in CHIPS and Science Act to create high-tech jobs in cities across Nation
Casey advocated for Philly initiative, urged Biden Administration to swiftly implement program
Tech Hub designation comes on heels of Casey announcement that Southeastern PA has won $750 million to develop hydrogen hub
Announcement consistent with Casey speech on future of American workers and economy
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is announcing that Southeastern Pennsylvania has been selected as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hub) for life sciences. Led by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA, the Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub will focus on an expanded view of precision medicine by building on Greater Philadelphia's world-class life sciences assets. Created by the CHIPS and Science Act, the Tech Hubs program is an economic development initiative aimed at accelerating growth in technology sectors, and the high-paying jobs that come with it, in cities and communities across the country. The designation makes the Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub eligible for further federal funding in the years to come.
“I fought for Greater Philadelphia’s tech hub designation because there is no better place suited to lead the critical precision medicine field,” said Senator Casey. “This transformative investment will further cement Southeastern Pennsylvania as a national and global leader in medical innovation. As a tech hub and a hydrogen hub, Philadelphia and the region are paving the way to our Nation’s economic future.”
Senator Casey has been a staunch advocate for a Philadelphia Tech Hub designation. In April, Casey sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo urging swift implementation of the Tech Hubs program and advocating for Pennsylvania as a prime location for a hub. In August, he followed up with a letter supporting the Ben Franklin Technology Partners application. Prior to this year, Casey highlighted the Commonwealth and the region’s potential to the Biden Administration. In October 2022, he hosted U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra for a visit to Philadelphia to showcase the strength of the region’s biotechnology sector.
Senator Casey has consistently fought to deliver jobs, manufacturing, and investments back to Pennsylvania. In 2021, Casey worked to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to bring billions of dollars to Pennsylvania to build out clean energy infrastructure, improve roads and bridges, expand high-speed internet access, and more, all while creating good-paying jobs. In 2022, he supported the CHIPS and Science Act to produce semiconductors in the United States, reducing the U.S.’ reliance on foreign adversaries, including China, for critical technology manufacturing. Senator Casey has urged Secretary Raimondo to consider Pennsylvania for future semiconductor manufacturing investments from the CHIPS law. The same year, the Inflation Reduction Act made major investments in new energy manufacturing, including solar panels, wind turbines, and clean battery systems. Casey fought to include strict domestic content standards to ensure projects use 100% American-made steel and iron.
In June, Senator Casey delivered a rousing speech to union workers and business leaders in Pittsburgh to outline his vision for the United States to take control of its economic future by investing in American workers and manufacturing, as well as stopping investments in national security sectors from going to countries of concern, including China. In July, the Senate overwhelmingly passed Senator Casey’s legislation to screen those investments by a vote of 91-6. Building on Casey’s efforts, the Biden Administration issued an executive order addressing the issue weeks later.
Last week, Casey announced the launch of the two hydrogen hubs, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2), based in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) serving Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. These hubs will bring jobs, economic growth, and energy innovation to the Mid-Atlantic and the Appalachian Basin.
