The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has received $504 million from the Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs Program, making it one of 12 U.S. tech hubs to receive this funding.
According to Governor JB Pritzker, this announcement showcases Illinois as a leader in biotechnology and biomanufacturing. The federal investment of $51 million will allow iFAB consortium to expand their cutting-edge research and drive innovation in Central Illinois for years to come.
The EDA grant will be strategically utilized for infrastructure development, industry partnerships, and other projects. This includes a $40 million expansion of the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory as well as expanding production lines and managing iFAB Tech Hub operations. The Innovate Illinois initiative led by Governor Pritzker with co-chair U.of I Chancellor Robert J.Jones provides support for iFAB’s efforts.
