Today the Economic Development Administration, part of the Department of Commerce, designated (https://www.eda.gov/news/press-release/2023/10/23/biden-harris-administration-designates-31-tech-hubs-across-america) 31 "Tech Hubs" across America.
These Tech Hubs will focus federal investment on building up domestic industry in particular sectors, including semiconductors, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, and autonomous systems.
Given the rabid insistence by certain regional boosters that Jacksonville is a rising "global leader in digital innovation" or "Silicon Valley of the East," it is interesting that North Florida is not a recipient of a Tech Hub designation. Nor did North Florida receive a Strategy Development Grant, intended to further regional planning and coordination in order to eventually receive a Tech Hub designation. It is unclear if the city or other regional agencies even applied for either of these programs, whereas some regions received both a designation and SDG. Miami (https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/South-Florida-Climate-Resilience-Tech-Hub) did receive a designation for climate resilience infrastructure, and Tulsa (https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Tulsa-Hub-for-Equitable-Trustworthy-Autonomy) received one for autonomous technology, so it's unclear if anyone thought it was out of the question or just didn't know this was happening.
Ironic timing with my post in another thread about that fictitious claim by JTA. FinTech is generally not considered tech by the greater community, and that's the only real presence we have in the greater industry.
Wait, I thought JTA said we were leading the world in developing autonomous vehicles. Cleary, the Feds have made a serious error, are asleep at the wheel (no play on words intended!) or have it in for Jax. I mean... we are leading the world, right?! Tulsa, OK... how could that be?
Maybe the Feds know something JTA doesn't? Maybe they don't want a repeat of the Skyway fiasco - or worse?
It'd be pretty strange for the feds to be providing millions in funding for the U2C (under both this administration and the last) while also wanting the project to not happen. I've been thinking for a while that the FTA is not immune from giving transit agencies bad incentives when it comes to projects.
We're not a tech hub and it doesn't matter how much kool aid JTA throws out there around the U2C, it isn't going to make us one either. Doesn't mean that we can't strive to get better. However, getting better also means acknowledging, accepting reality and going from there.
Quote from: marcuscnelson on October 23, 2023, 10:41:18 PM
It'd be pretty strange for the feds to be providing millions in funding for the U2C (under both this administration and the last) while also wanting the project to not happen.
This is exactly what the Feds did with the Skyway. Federal DOT had many qualms about the Skyway as did many members of Congress. But, it was passed over their doubts for political reasons, only, and served as a genuine pork barrel project. This was even covered by local and national media as it was so outrageous.
The Feds walking both sides of the fence happens all the time thanks to routine political interference.
Just like the military wanted Cecil Field to stay open for true military reasons. But, it got closed because the supposedly apolitical Base Closing Commission got out-hustled by Virginia politicos. To this day, I believe Cecil is the only base that the BCC closed and then, subsequently, voted to reopen, recognizing the magnitude of their mistake of capitulating to politicians. Unfortunately for our country, it was too late to return it to military use given the economics and who would pay for it. I doubt the Navy has many, if any, options for finding 25,000 acres appropriately located to recreate Cecil.
Big difference between the U2C and Skyway. The Skyway was a federal demonstration project, that was largely paid for by the feds. It was going to happen either in Jax or somewhere else. Jax competed with several other cities and was selected along with Miami and Detroit. The U2C isn't a federal demonstration project. It's largely being funded with local money. So one was a federal demonstration. The other is a JTA dream being financed by Jaxsons.
Quote from: thelakelander on October 23, 2023, 11:11:32 PM
We're not a tech hub and it doesn't matter how much kool aid JTA throws out there around the U2C, it isn't going to make us one either. Doesn't mean that we can't strive to get better. However, getting better also means acknowledging, accepting reality and going from there.
We're not a tech hub when the person in front of me is still trying to write a check to pay for their groceries at Publix over the weekend.