Wisconsin is one of 31 regions in the United States to be designated as a Regional Technology and Innovations Hub, focused on the biohealth industry.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration announced the regions moving forward as part of the national Tech Hubs program Monday. The Tech Hubs program, part of the CHIPS and Science Act, is an economic development initiative designed to spur regional innovation and job creation by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize and deploy technology.

As part of phase one of the Tech Hubs program, Wisconsin has earned a $350,000 grant that will be used for further strategic development. If the state moves on to phase two of the program, additional grants worth $50 million to $75 million could be awarded. Only five to 10 regions will move on to phase two.

“Wisconsin’s designation as a Regional Tech Hub is a testament to the strength of our state’s biohealth and personalized medicine industry,” said Gov. Tony Evers in a statement. “As this sector continues to grow, it will mean more high-paying jobs and economic growth for our state, as well as innovations that will transform the future of medical care for people in Wisconsin and around the world.”

Read more at the BizTimes.