The US Department of Commerce picked 31 regional technology hub locations out of 370 applications, as part of a plan to create jobs and spur innovation across sectors including AI, semiconductors and quantum computing.

The programme is administered by the department’s Economic Development Administration and is funded through legislation called the CHIPS and Science Act, which offered $500 million in government funding to drive regional innovation via the tech hubs.

Selected hubs span 32 states and Puerto Rico, and represent a cross-section of urban and rural regions.

Verticals include industry, academia, state and local governments, economic development organisations, and labour and workforce partners.

The second phase of the programme will award grants of between $50 million and $70 million in grants to between five and ten of the hubs in 2024.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated the initiative would “supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments” and create jobs.

“Each of these consortia will help us ensure the industries of the future, and their good-paying jobs, start, grow and remain in the US”, she noted.