BALTIMORE – From artificial intelligence (AI) to robots to manufacturing, Baltimore continues its work as a newly designated federal technology center.
Executives from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Agency got a glimpse into some of Baltimore’s key technology programs on Wednesday.
“Baltimore has so much new momentum,” said Mark Anthony Thomas, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee. “They want to better understand our assets so they can strengthen their potential to create new businesses and talent opportunities.”
Wednesday’s visit came nearly a year after Baltimore was named one of 31 federal “tech hubs” thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act.
Baltimore is a “tech hub”
Baltimore City has been named a “Tech Hub” as part of a highly competitive federal program to expand production across the country, making the city eligible for millions in funding.
“Our focus is actually not just on CHIPS, but also on the products of science. It’s a $10 billion program run by the Economic Development Administration,” said Eric Smith, Tech Hubs Director at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration.
Smith was on hand to learn more about the components of the Baltimore Region Tech Hub proposal and visit several anchor institutions involved in the technology initiative.
“This is really a moment where people can see it firsthand and really say that we are at an inflection point and that innovation and growth are going to be a big part of our future,” Thomas said.
“Solve many problems”
Morgan State University and other programs brought leaders into their labs where the work takes place.
“The fact that they are finally here and getting to know the campuses and our innovations is such an important step towards a long-term partnership,” said Thomas.
“And I believe that justice is at the core of what is happening here, and because of Baltimore, because of the surrounding counties, because of the history and because of the resources of the city, I believe it really solves a lot of problems,” Smith added.
The visit provides an opportunity for leading technology companies and innovators to showcase their work in the hope that it will one day move the city further into the future.
“We believe that bringing the development and deployment of these technologies back to the United States provides an opportunity for this economic prosperity to be truly inclusive and to bring much of this wealth back to communities that have not been able to share in this growth,” Smith said.
The technology center and the participants of the visit include companies, colleges and universities as well as local authorities.
“It really highlights these places in the U.S., like Baltimore, that have incredible assets, resources and capacity for economic growth based on innovation,” Smith said. “And this hub will come together to achieve that with technology.”
