CARSON CITY — The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced that the Nevada Lithium Batteries and Other EV Material Loop (“The Loop”) consortium led by the University of Nevada Reno, in the Carson City-Reno region was designated as one of the 31 inaugural Tech Hubs in regions across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors.
EDA has selected projects for funding in the Nevada Tech Hub for an estimated award of $21 million, to be finalized in the coming months.
This investment is projected to support business creation, employment, technological innovation, and career pathways in rural Nevada, specifically in rural communities included in USDA’s Rural Partners Network (RPN), which includes Nye County, Esmeralda County, and Mineral County.
RPN and UNR have long been partners, with UNR Extension staff supporting RPN initiatives in rural communities such as community health surveys in Tonopah and a community garden in Searchlight. EDA, who funded this investment, is also a participant in USDA’s Rural Partners Network nationwide.
“We’re proud to see the Biden-Harris Administration ensure that Nevadans are included in more and better markets,” said USDA RD-Nevada State Director Lucas Ingvoldstad. “USDA stands ready to support the efforts of the Nevada Tech Hub to grow rural economies and bolster rural communities through Rural Development and the Rural Partners Network.”