- July 2, 2024
RENO, NV – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced in Reno that Nevada is being awarded nearly $21 million in federal funding for the Lithium Loop Tech Hub, which will help Nevada continue to grow as a national leader in the lithium supply chain and create thousands of good-paying jobs. This funding will support new lithium workforce initiatives, invest in STEM education, and bolster workforce opportunities, including for Native American and Indigenous students. The Tech Hubs program, authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act that Senator Rosen helped pass, invests directly in high-potential U.S. regions and aims to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers.
Senator Rosen helped secure the Tech Hub designation for the Lithium Loop project led by the University of Nevada, Reno, and she has been pushing to secure millions of dollars in federal funding for it. Earlier this year, Senator Rosen convened a meeting with Secretary Raimondo and University President Brian Sandoval to advocate for this funding.
“Northern Nevada has the potential to be a global leader in battery and electric vehicle innovation, with the University of Nevada, Reno leading the way,” said Senator Rosen. “That’s why I’m proud to have helped secure a Tech Hub designation for the Lithium Loop and have worked with President Sandoval to get millions of dollars in funding for it. I’m proud to announce that these efforts paid off and our state will receive nearly $21 million that will encourage innovation, create new economic opportunities, and transform Nevada’s economy with thousands of good-paying jobs in the lithium supply chain.”
“Thanks to the strong leadership of President Biden in the White House, Senator Rosen in the Senate, and others, we set out on a mission to find areas that have existing talent and supercharge it to enable those regions to become world class leaders in making and delivering technology,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The Nevada Tech Hub based in Reno will help make the region a global lithium leader by bringing together companies, startups, schools, and workforce development organizations – all while boosting economic development and opportunity in Northern Nevada and creating new good-paying jobs.”
“The University of Nevada, Reno is honored to be selected by the EDA for this elite designation and funding, empowering our education institution to become a global leader in energy technology. We are proud to lead the statewide efforts of a strong network of 75-plus public, private and nonprofit partners to position our great state as a globally competitive innovation center in the emerging lithium batteries, critical elements, and other electric vehicle materials industry sectors. With the funding we received today from the EDA, combined with the generous funding from the Nevada State Legislature’s Interim Finance Committee, we will invest in targeted and aggressive business creation, attraction, retention and expansion efforts designed to close identified gaps in this emerging industry sector across our state,” said Brian Sandoval, President of the University of Nevada, Reno. “As a part of the Nevada Tech Hub effort, we are particularly proud of the Nevada Native Nations Center project, led by the University’s Office of Indigenous Relations, that will provide a nationwide model addressing workforce barriers and inequities while providing career pathway opportunities for Nevada’s Native American, Tribal and Indigenous peoples in the lithium batteries and electric vehicle materials industries. I wish to thank Sen. Jacky Rosen, Sen. Cortez Masto, Gov. Joe Lombardo and the Nevada Legislature’s Interim Finance Committee for their leadership and continued support of our Tech Hub initiative that will evoke a generational shift in the economic future of Nevada.”
“This funding is critical for the development of lithium battery and electric vehicles technology in Nevada, and it’s simultaneously essential for the advancement of America’s energy future,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “I look forward to seeing the innovation and progress of The Tech Hub at the University of Nevada, Reno as a result of this funding.”
“The significance of today’s announcement cannot be overstated. The Tech Hub Phase 2 designation recognizes Nevada’s existing place as a leader in battery innovation and development in North America as well as the incredible potential for the future,” Caleb Cage, Executive Director of the Nevada Battery Coalition. “We would not be where we are today without the hard work and leadership of Senator Jacky Rosen and we are grateful for all she has done for our industry, our state, and in support of this designation. We would also like to thank U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo for seeing our potential and investing in our future so that we can continue to build this critically important industry.”
“I’m thrilled that Nevada’s Native American students are getting this important federal support,” said Stacey Montooth, Executive Director of the Nevada Department of Native American Affairs. “For far too long, the first people of this land have been overlooked and faced disparities that have trickled down through generations. This funding is an important step toward improving our student outcomes to help end that cycle. The Nevada Department of Native American Affairs is grateful for Senator Rosen’s advocacy to address this issue and bring much-needed attention and support to the continuing education of Native students.”
“The Nevada Mining Association, as the leading trade association for Nevada’s foundational STEM industry, is excited about the promising impact of the Phase II funding for the Nevada Tech Hub,” Amanda Hilton, President of the Nevada Mining Association. “We look forward to ongoing collaboration with the consortium to develop impactful programs that will advance the vision of the project, including the crucial role it plays for the mining industry and the domestic mineral demand.”
Senator Rosen has been leading the charge to bring the Tech Hubs designation and funding to Nevada. Senator Rosen hosted President Sandoval as her State of the Union guest to highlight the University’s designation as a Tech Hub and push for millions of dollars in funding. She, along with members of Nevada’s congressional delegation, also sent a letter to the Department of Commerce supporting the University’s official application for funding for the Lithium Loop.
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