After being named a national tech hub last fall, the Baltimore region is on track to match $70 million in federal funding to create tens of thousands of jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in investment. It will help to establish a framework for
The region, which includes Baltimore and its seven surrounding counties, was selected in October as one of 31 cities or regions for the federal Tech Hubs program, which has given the area five years to grow. A share of $10 billion in federal funding was put in line. Baltimore aims to gain recognition as a center for artificial intelligence and biotechnology, which is still in the early stages of adoption.
Members of the consortium leading the center unveiled the first proposed plans Monday at a ceremony at Coppen State University with U.S. Sens. Ben Corden and Chris Van Hollen and Maryland Lt. Gov. Arona Miller, all Democrats.
The U.S. Commerce Department is expected to select five to 10 proposals from 31 designated centers this summer under the second phase of the federal initiative.
Leaders of the Baltimore effort submitted an application earlier this month for the second phase of the federal program, which is designed to invest in U.S. regions and make them globally competitive in emerging technologies. .
The Baltimore consortium is seeking $70 million, available for as many regions as possible in the second round, with a local match of $7.7 million. Five proposed Baltimore region projects will create a sustainable pipeline of workers, establish state-of-the-art biomanufacturing plants, and support entrepreneurship and innovation.
Those kinds of goals were the goal when Congress passed the $10 billion initiative through the CHIPS and SCIENCE Act of 2022, Corden said.
“We have untapped resources that we have to tap into if we’re going to compete globally,” the senator said.
The projects are expected to create 32,700 direct jobs and 65,600 supplier jobs in a variety of skill levels and sectors over 10 years, according to the Greater Baltimore Committee, the organizer of the region’s initial bid, drawn up by business and technology leaders.
A growing number of local tech firms, academic institutions, state and local government agencies, economic development organizations and workforce development groups have committed to making Baltimore a hub, GBC Chairman Mohan Santha said during the roundtable event. . Sintha, who is also president and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical System, said all those organizations “want to make an impact on our nation.”
“This conversation is about what this Baltimore region can do for the nation,” he said.
The region plans to focus on technology that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning on health data for applications such as diagnostics and drug development.
The five proposed projects in the region include:
Biomanufacturing Corps – Plans call for expanding US biomanufacturing capacity to promote national security. Project partners will open a pilot biomanufacturing facility in Harford County and launch a Center for Community Impact in Manufacturing with Coppen State University.
The Uprise for Equitech – The project will create a network to support business startups, including business support organizations to build connections with investors, led by UpSurge Baltimore. Launched in 2021, UpSurge provides mentorship, networking, educational tools and resources for technology entrepreneurs anchoring their companies in the city with the goal of improving equity.
Anchor Innovation Hub – A program that helps predominately minority and women biotech business founders and early-stage entrepreneurs commercialize their innovations. Case managers will guide entrepreneurs and startups to apply for advisory and resourcing programs. Morgan State University, Johns Hopkins Tech Ventures and the University of Maryland Baltimore will work together on the center.
Baltimore Biotech Jobs Initiative – A workforce development program in which project partners will develop education and training pathways to meet demand in biomanufacturing and life sciences, led by Baltimore software firm Catalyte, which provides skills for its clients. uses artificial intelligence to identify and develop
Regional Innovation Office – A newly created office led by GBC’s Regional Innovation Officer will coordinate efforts, track progress and provide leadership.
“Currently, states like California, Massachusetts, New York and Texas – attract the bulk of venture capital investment,” said Mark Anthony Thomas, president and CEO of GBC.
“As champions of inclusive growth and ecotech, we have been advocating for a long time, the need to diversify the country where there are opportunities for entrepreneurs and tech talent,” Thomas said. .
Jeff Cherry, co-chair of TechHub and CEO of the Conscious Venture Lab, which creates programs to train entrepreneurs, said focusing on diverse entrepreneurship can impact community health, crime and economic mobility. Is.
“It’s because we’re going to give a sense of hope that things can be different, that things don’t have to be the same,” Cherry said.
The federal tech hub designation is already putting Baltimore on the tech map, Van Hollen said in an interview after the roundtable. While the next round will also be competitive, the region’s proposal capitalizes on its strengths in the private sector, the nonprofit sector and academic excellence, he said.
“All of these organizations have made commitments about what they will contribute to this great effort,” Van Hollen said. “They will be able to offer a huge multiplier effect to the Department of Commerce in terms of $70 million and what that will do in terms of other contributions.”