Regional Innovation Act of 2021

Regional Innovation Act of 2021

This bill establishes a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program and a Regional Clean Energy Innovation Program.

The bill directs the Department of Commerce to establish the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program to

• encourage collaboration among local, state, and federal government entities, institutions of higher education, the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and others to promote inclusive regional innovation initiatives;
• designate eligible consortia as hubs and facilitate activities by such consortia in implementing their regional innovation strategies; and
• develop best practices for regional development and competitiveness in technology and innovation.

Additionally, the Department of Energy shall establish the Regional Clean Energy Innovation Program to

• enhance the economic, environmental, and energy security of the United States;
• accelerate the pace of innovation of clean energy technologies through regional clean energy innovation partnerships;
• improve the competitiveness of U.S. clean energy technology research, development, demonstration, and commercial application; and
• support the development of tools and technologies best suited for use in diverse regions of the United States, including in rural, tribal, and low-income communities.

Commerce shall carry out a program of data collection and analysis of technology and innovation sectors critical to realizing national objectives, including national security, economic prosperity, and social welfare.