Federal Tech Hub designation supercharges Baltimore’s critical technology ecosystem
Baltimore region one of 31 communities nationally designated as Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs by Biden-Harris administration
By JAMIE ABELL on November 8, 2023
On Oct. 23, the Biden-Harris administration, alongside the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced Baltimore as one of 31 Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs (Tech Hubs) across America. These Tech Hubs are designed to spur American innovation, strengthen manufacturing and create good-paying jobs in every region of the country.
“This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to driving innovation, fostering collaboration and empowering the tech community,” says Patrick McQuown, executive director of entrepreneurship at TU. “We're on a mission to create a brighter, more connected future, and this grant is a major milestone on that journey.”
The Greater Baltimore Committee led the designation process for Baltimore. According to the EDA, “the Baltimore Tech Hub aims to develop innovative, predictive health care technologies by applying artificial intelligence to biotechnologies. Leveraging regional research universities and institutions, research and development expertise, and existing capital investments, this Tech Hub’s equitable technology model, or equi-tech, will develop predictive health care technologies that can support clinical decision-making, bioethics, personalized medicine, new biologics and therapeutics. The Baltimore Tech Hub seeks to catalyze commercialization of predictive health care technologies, improving equitable care delivery and national health outcomes.”
“I would like to thank all the members of the Towson University community who have supported this process,” says TU President Mark R. Ginsberg. “TU is a nationally recognized leader in academic excellence, student success and community engagement, and we are ready to help revolutionize biotechnology and support the program’s priorities of job creation, fiscal growth and national security.”
The Tech Hubs Program aims to strengthen the U.S.’s economic and national security with investments of assets and resources in regions across the country with the potential to become globally competitive in the technologies and industries of the future—and for those industries, companies and the good jobs they create to start, grow and remain in the United States.
As one of Baltimore’s key anchor institutions, Towson University is uniquely positioned to help the city address the growing demands of the science and technology industries. TU is also home to one of the country's top cybersecurity programs, serving the epicenter of the nation’s government workforce.
“Our university fuels Baltimore, thanks to innovation and partnerships on campus, like the StarTUp at the Armory, which is the top-rated university economic development program in the country,” says Dr. Sidd Kaza, associate provost for research and dean of graduate studies. “With this designation, we can increase our impact and help create a more prosperous region.”