Through Daines’ “Endless Frontier Act” Montana Will Lead Country to Boost Tech Industry
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that following the passage of his bipartisan “Endless Frontier Act,” Montana has been selected as a Regional Tech Hub by the Economic Development Administration and will receive funds to invest in Montana’s technology sector, help win the race against China, create good-paying jobs and boost the economy.
“Today’s announcement is another milestone for Montana, speaks volumes about the quality of our workforce and further solidifies our standing as a leading hub for cutting edge technology and research in the country. From optics and photonics to quantum computing, I am grateful help advance Montana’s ability to contribute even further to the important research and development that will help strengthen our national security and help us stay competitive against China,” Daines said.
Download a video statement HERE.
“Thanks to our pro-business policies and the unparalleled work ethic of Montanans, Montana is a growing hub for innovative, job-creating businesses in photonics, optics, and quantum,” Governor Greg Gianforte said. “I thank Senator Daines for his leadership to secure the Headwaters Technology Hub designation, and appreciate the hard work of our state agencies and industry and academic partners to develop Montana’s successful proposal.”
Following Daines’ work, Montana was selected out of 198 applicants to receive one of 31 new Tech Hub designations. The Headwaters Regional Technology and Innovation Hub will leverage existing companies and infrastructure in Missoula, Bozeman, and surrounding areas to develop and deploy smart photonic sensing systems and autonomous systems to address critical defense, resource management, and disaster prevention needs. Montana is already home of a leading photonics companies and this designation will further spur economic development and leading edge technologies.
Daines worked hard to ensure this bill would help Montana and programs like the MonArk Quantum Foundry at Montana State University. To learn more about how this bill will help Montana, listen to Dean of College of Letters and Science and Director of the MonArk Quantum Foundry Dr. Yves Idzerda, MonArk Quantum Foundry Associate Director and Associate Professor Nick Borys and Montana Instruments founder Luke Mauritsen below.
Watch HERE and download TV elements HERE.
Senator Daines led efforts for Montana’s Tech Hub designation and sent letter to EDA encouraging them to pick Montana.
Daines’ “Endless Frontier Act” was signed into law as part of the “Chips and Science Act.”
Senator Daines was the only member of the Montana delegation to sponsor this legislation.
Leaders in Montana tech praised Daines’ work to bring secure this designation.
“Montana’s designation as a regional Tech Hub under the Chips and Science Act of 2022 is a game changer for Montana’s economy. This federal designation puts business and research and development together in unprecedented ways to ensure the United States remains a leader in technology well into the future. Our strength as a top ranked entrepreneurial state and globally recognized position in sensors, photonics and quantum, will see increased investment as a result of this designation. Senator Daines has been a longtime leader in promoting Montana’s technology opportunity and this designation speaks to his vision.” –Todd O’Hair, President/CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce
“Supported by the solid foundation of Montana’s world-leading photonics ecosystem, a diverse team of government, academic, and industry partners has collaborated to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity through the EDA tech hub program. This series of grants funded by the CHIPs Act which Senator Daines co-sponsored would exponentially increase the rate of industry growth by focusing on commercializing our industry-leading technologies in smart optical sensors for end-use applications. Senator Daines serves on the Congressional Optics & Photonics Caucus which is the core technology for this new Tech Hub. The Headwaters Tech Hub will drive advancement in Autonomous Vehicles, National Defense, Infrastructure Security, Wildlife Response, Critical Resource Management, Precision Agriculture, and Integrated Industrial Equipment. By solving the problems of tomorrow today, this grant will have an impact not only locally, but nationally and globally.” –Jason Yager, President Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance
“Montana’s designation as a tech hub has the potential to bring millions of dollars in investment and hundreds of high-paying manufacturing and technology jobs into our state. This award is the result of long-term, collaborative efforts by Senator Daines, Senator Tester, and leaders in industry, education, and government to compete for economic opportunities that will allow future generations to thrive in Montana. We thank Senator Daines for continuing the work he began in the private sector as a champion for Montana’s growing innovation economy.” –Christina Quick Henderson, Executive Director, Montana High Tech Business Alliance