| Photo by ThisisEngineering on Unsplash
HARTFORD, CT — Governor Ned Lamont announced Thursday that Connecticut has formally joined the RAISE US Initiative, a national partnership designed to accelerate job creation, workforce training, and innovation in emerging technology sectors. The initiative, launched by the U.S. Department of Commerce through its Economic Development Administration (EDA), aims to help states build regional tech hubs, expand digital‑skills pipelines, and attract private investment.
Lamont said Connecticut’s participation aligns with the state’s broader strategy to grow advanced manufacturing, AI‑related industries, bioscience, and green‑tech sectors. “By joining the RAISE US Initiative, Connecticut is strengthening its commitment to building a workforce ready for the jobs of tomorrow,” Lamont said. “This partnership gives us access to federal expertise, national networks, and new opportunities for innovation.”
The RAISE US Initiative—short for Regional Accelerators for Innovation, Skills, and Entrepreneurship in the United States—was developed by the EDA in collaboration with federal partners including the National Science Foundation and the Department of Labor. It supports states and regional coalitions working to expand tech‑sector employment and improve competitiveness in fields such as AI, semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, and cybersecurity.
What the Initiative Does and Who Proposed It
RAISE US was first proposed by federal economic development leaders in 2023 as part of the Biden administration’s effort to strengthen domestic innovation ecosystems. The initiative builds on the EDA’s Tech Hubs Program and Good Jobs Challenge, offering states technical assistance, planning support, and access to federal‑private partnerships.
According to the EDA, participating states receive help in designing regional workforce strategies, coordinating industry‑education partnerships, and identifying federal grant opportunities. “RAISE US is about empowering states to build resilient, future‑ready economies,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo. “We’re working with governors, universities, and employers to ensure workers have pathways into high‑quality tech jobs.”
Benefits to member states include access to federal innovation advisors, data‑driven labor‑market analysis, and support for developing regional tech‑training centers. States may also receive priority consideration for certain EDA grants tied to workforce development and innovation capacity.
Membership and Projects Underway
As of mid‑2024, 22 states have joined the RAISE US Initiative, along with several regional coalitions, tribal governments, and nonprofit economic‑development organizations. Membership is not limited to states; the EDA encourages participation from universities, workforce boards, and industry groups that can help build regional innovation ecosystems.
Current projects under the initiative include semiconductor‑training partnerships in Arizona, AI‑skills development programs in North Carolina, and clean‑energy workforce planning in Michigan. The EDA has also supported regional collaborations focused on quantum computing, advanced robotics, and biotech manufacturing.
Connecticut’s entry into the initiative comes as the state expands its own tech‑sector investments, including the Hartford Innovation Hub, bioscience growth in New Haven, and advanced manufacturing clusters in the Greater Waterbury and Eastern Connecticut regions. State officials say RAISE US will help Connecticut integrate these efforts into a national framework.
A Strategic Move for Connecticut’s Workforce
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe said the partnership will help the state compete for federal funding and strengthen employer pipelines. “This gives us a seat at the table with national leaders in innovation,” O’Keefe said. “We want Connecticut workers to be first in line for the high‑skill jobs being created across the country.”
Lamont emphasized that the initiative is part of a long‑term strategy to ensure Connecticut remains competitive. “We’re building an economy where every resident has access to opportunity,” he said. “RAISE US helps us accelerate that mission.”
