Tulsa has been designated as a "Tech Hub" by the U.S. Department of Commerce, making it eligible for up to $75 million in federal funding. The Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA) will focus on advanced autonomous technologies such as unmanned aerial systems, drones, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The funding will be used to transform Tulsa into a global leader in autonomous systems, creating economic opportunities and aiming to secure a significant share of the global market. The consortium behind the proposal includes 50 public- and private-sector partners, with a focus on equity and inclusion.
Montana has been selected as a "regional tech hub" by the federal Economic Development Administration, making the state eligible to compete for a share of $500 million in federal funds to become a leader in smart, autonomous, photonic remote sensing technologies. The tech hub will be led by Accelerate Montana, based on the University of Montana campus in Missoula. The announcement has been praised by top elected officials in Montana, who believe it will boost the state's technology sector, create jobs, and strengthen national security. The goal of the program is to diversify tech hubs beyond traditional locations like Silicon Valley.
Five regions in Michigan are competing for federal funding through the "Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program" to boost the tech sector in more communities. The program aims to counteract the concentration of the U.S. tech economy on the coasts. The Michigan regions include the Detroit-Ann Arbor Mobility Tech Hub, Greater Grand Rapids Global Center for Battery Production Innovation, Materials Advancement and Research Hub, Discover Blue Consortium, and Skylift. The U.S. Economic Development Administration is expected to announce its selections this fall.
Elon Musk has stated that despite receiving offers of "rich incentives" to relocate X (formerly Twitter) out of San Francisco, the company will not be moving. Musk has been critical of the city, referring to it as a "doom spiral" and criticizing its high crime rates and perceived lack of action by the police. However, he affirmed his loyalty to San Francisco, stating that X will remain in its long-established home.
