Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) celebrated a $44 million grant awarded to the Birmingham Biotechnology Hub, led by the Southern Research Institute. The investment, distributed by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) under its Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) Program, aims to bolster global competitiveness, strengthen local manufacturing, and create high-quality jobs across the United States.
“This $44 million for the Birmingham Biotechnology Hub will benefit not just our state but our nation,” Senator Britt said. “Investing in a Birmingham-based Tech Hub dedicated to the bioeconomy will promote domestic supply chains for critical medicines while spurring potentially life-saving innovation. Birmingham is uniquely situated to be a national leader in advancing groundbreaking diagnostics and therapeutics because of our skilled workforce and our state’s pro-jobs environment. I appreciate the leadership of Secretary Gina Raimondo in making this selection and the partnership of Governor Ivey, Congresswoman Sewell, and Mayor Woodfin in advocating for this award. This is an important investment into our state and our nation’s futures.”
The funding is part of the EDA Tech Hubs Program, which received additional support through the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a measure Senator Britt backed.
The Birmingham Biotechnology Hub will leverage the expertise of local scientists who are national leaders in oncology, precision medicine, population health, and infectious disease. Partnering with institutions like the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Tuskegee University, the Southern Research Institute aims to drive innovation in biomedical research and development.
Birmingham’s investment in research rivals that of larger regions such as San Diego, San Francisco, and Philadelphia on a per capita basis, reinforcing its potential as a national hub for biotechnology.
Senator Britt joined Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.), U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin in advocating for this investment. Together, they authored a joint column highlighting the Birmingham region’s potential for healthcare innovation and its role in strengthening national security.
Additionally, Senator Britt submitted a letter to EDA officials supporting the Birmingham Biotechnology Hub’s selection for the Tech Hubs Program.
This investment marks a significant step in enhancing Alabama’s role in the bioeconomy and advancing the nation’s leadership in biotechnology and life sciences.
