{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=07A2618D-13A9-42A8-B88E-E5948CD6CBED", "McBath Welcomes $65 Million Investment in Georgia Manufacturing", "2022-09-02", "2022", "2022-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, President Biden will announce the Georgia AI Manufacturing (GA-AIM) coalition as one of 21 winners of the $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge, the most impactful regional economic development competition in decades. Funded by President Biden\u2019s American Rescue Plan and administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce\u2019s Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Regional Challenge is awarding approximately $65 million in grants to GA-AIM, led by the Georgia Tech Research Corporation, to accelerate integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in industry.\n\nWith this funding, GA-AIM will accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence across the state\u2019s growing industries, including semiconductors, batteries and electrification, food production, and aerospace and defense. Coalition projects include establishing an AI Manufacturing Pilot Facility at Georgia Tech and expand job training opportunities in AI for underserved communities. The GA-AIM coalition aims to serve as a national model for how to accelerate the transition to automation in manufacturing while ensuring these systems complement rather than replace existing workers.\n\n\"This investment will support the careers of hardworking Georgians, create future job opportunities, and lower costs for consumers. It is a well-deserved acknowledgment of the groundbreaking innovation happening right here in Georgia,\" said Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06). \u201cI am so proud that the Georgia Tech Research Corporation and the Georgia AI Manufacturing Coalition are being supported by this funding. I look forward to seeing all the ways in which this funding will aid our economic recovery and continue to make Georgia the best place to live and work.\u201d\n\n\u201cThanks to the American Rescue Plan, we are able to provide transformational investments that will build resilient regional economies, catalyze critical industries, and create good jobs,\u201d said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. \u201cArtificial intelligence is becoming a ubiquitous feature of successful industry and manufacturing practices, and the GA-AIM coalition\u2019s efforts will help sustain and grow domestic manufacturing potential without leaving its workers behind.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to help Americans meet the challenges of the future,\u201d said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. \u201cThis EDA investment supports Georgia as it builds a more resilient economy that is better equipped to overcome future economic disruptions.\u201d\n\n\u201cGeorgia students shouldn\u2019t have to go to New York or the Silicon Valley if they want to work at an exciting tech and research center,\u201d said Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock. \u201cThat\u2019s why I am glad Commerce Secretary Raimondo joined me in visiting Georgia Tech last year to view the strong work being done in this area. I\u2019m thrilled to see federal dollars continuing to come to Georgia Tech, one of the top research institutions in the country, to carry on their work of creating an innovation economy in Atlanta and the surrounding region. I was proud to secure robust investments in the Chips and Science Act to build regional tech hubs across the country, and I hope to see many across the state of Georgia.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn Atlanta we\u2019re used to doing big things, so I am not surprised Georgia Tech is a recipient of the largest Build Back Better Challenge prize in the country,\u201d said Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05). \u201cGeorgia Tech is a partner in creating economic opportunity for traditionally marginalized communities with cutting-edge technologies. I look forward to working more with Georgia Tech and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo as we help everyone to share in the promise of America\u2013no matter your ZIP Code, no matter your bank account.\u201d\n\nThe GA-AIM coalition is one of 21 winners \u2013 each a regional coalition of partnering entities \u2013 that will receive awards between $25 million and $65 million to implement an average of six integrative projects that will enable each region\u2019s economic transformation and competitiveness.\n\nThe Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) is an unprecedented competitive federal grant program that provides each regional coalition with significant investments to tackle a wide variety of projects \u2013 including entrepreneurial support, workforce development, infrastructure, and innovation \u2013 to drive inclusive economic growth. Each coalition\u2019s collection of projects aims to develop and strengthen regional industry clusters \u2013 all while embracing economic equity, creating good-paying jobs, and enhancing U.S. competitiveness globally. Projects span 24 states and include $87 million to two primarily Tribal coalitions and over $150 million for projects serving communities impacted by the declining use of coal.\n\nThe 21 BBBRC awardees were chosen from 60 EDA-designated finalists that each received approximately $500,000 in funding and technical assistance to continue developing their cluster strategies. The funding for each coalition is approximate, with awards to be signed later in September. Those 60 finalists were chosen from a Phase 1 applicant pool of 529 applications, which exemplifies the tremendous demand for transformational economic development approaches. EDA will continue to support all 60 finalists with the creation of a Community of Practice that will provide technical support, foster connectedness with peer regions and build capacity.\n\nThe Build Back Better Regional Challenge is one of EDA\u2019s many programs aimed at building strong regional economies and supporting community-led economic development. EDA was allocated $3 billion in supplemental funding under the American Rescue Plan to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks. As a part of this funding, EDA allocated $300 million through a Coal Communities Commitment to support coal communities in pandemic recovery and help them create new jobs and opportunities, including through the creation or expansion of a new industry sector. Specifically, EDA has dedicated $100 million of its Build Back Better Regional Challenge funds and $200 million of its Economic Adjustment Assistance funds to directly support coal communities. Grantees for EDA\u2019s full suite of American Rescue Plan programs will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022. For more information, visit https://www.eda.gov/ARPA/.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=07A2618D-13A9-42A8-B88E-E5948CD6CBED"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8706140797585249, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}