BURLINGTON, VT – Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) today released the following statement celebrating the authorization of the Tech Hubs program through the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, which includes the University of Vermont’s Advancing Gallium Nitride (GaN) Tech Hub: 

“I am thrilled to see Vermont’s leadership in semiconductor manufacturing recognized by the Biden-Harris administration. The CHIPS and Science Act is being implemented right here in Vermont, and I’m confident that partnerships between our world-renowned researchers at the University of Vermont and innovation leaders in the field will make our state’s Tech Hub—one of the first in the nation—stand out,” said Senator Peter Welch. “The Tech Hubs program is a commitment to U.S. innovation, our national security, and our global competitiveness. Importantly for rural communities, these hubs create jobs and bolster our education and workforce training opportunities. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I advocated for a strong commitment to including our rural communities in this growth opportunity, and I’m encouraged to see the Department of Commerce investing where it’s needed most.” 

This hub, one of only 31 in the nation, will develop semiconductor technology applications to bolster national security and defense priorities, while developing the workforce in Vermont. The Tech Hubs program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, which Senator Welch helped pass as a member of the House of Representatives. 

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