UNH Awarded $10M to Support Workforce Development in ReGen Valley Tech Hub Initiative

The University of New Hampshire at Manchester has been awarded $10 million to lead workforce development efforts within the ReGen Valley Tech Hub, an initiative aimed at establishing Southern New Hampshire as a global leader in biofabrication. Backed by funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, this initiative will drive innovation in regenerative medicine while addressing critical workforce needs through the creation of the ReGen Valley Common Campus.

The ReGen Valley Tech Hub, led by the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), will focus on fostering innovation and advancing commercialization efforts in biofabrication-an emerging industry that merges biotechnology with advanced manufacturing to revolutionize healthcare. UNH Manchester will play a key role in building a robust talent pipeline to support the growing biofabrication sector, ensuring the region's workforce is equipped to meet the demands of this cutting-edge industry.

"The ReGen Valley Tech Hub represents a tremendous opportunity for UNH to leverage its expertise in education and workforce development to benefit both our students and the state," UNH President Elizabeth Chilton said. "This initiative will provide our students with unparalleled opportunities in an industry that is poised to revolutionize healthcare and strengthen the local economy."

The ReGen Valley Common Campus, part of this collaborative effort, is designed to align education with industry needs and develop inclusive educational pathways for students and workers. By partnering with other institutions, including the Community College System of New Hampshire / Manchester Community College, Southern New Hampshire University, St. Anselm College, Dartmouth College, UMass Lowell and Franklin Pierce University, UNH will spearhead workforce development efforts to ensure that the biofabrication industry has access to a highly skilled and diverse workforce.

As a leader in workforce development within the ReGen Valley Tech Hub, UNH Manchester will bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that educational programs are tailored to meet the needs of biofabrication. This will include creating stackable credentials, apprenticeships and training programs that are accessible to individuals from all backgrounds to foster economic growth and inclusivity in the region.

"This initiative is about more than advancing groundbreaking technologies in biofabrication," said Julie Lenzer, chief innovation officer at ARMI and regional innovation officer of the ReGen Valley Tech Hub. "It's about creating a sustainable ecosystem where innovation and opportunity thrive, right here in New Hampshire."

The ReGen Valley Tech Hub was selected as one of 12 Hubs to receive implementation funding out of the 31 designated clusters under the Biden-Harris Administration's Tech Hubs Program. The broader initiative, led by ARMI, will catalyze the commercialization of regenerative therapies and enabling technologies, positioning New Hampshire as a global epicenter for biofabrication while addressing critical healthcare challenges such as chronic disease and traumatic injury.

"We are not just preparing students for jobs-we are building a future-ready workforce that reflects the diversity and potential of our community," said Mike Decelle, dean of UNH Manchester and principal investigator on the ReGen Valley Common Campus. "By aligning education with industry demands and ensuring that pathways are open to all, we are creating a workforce development model that is both inclusive and sustainable."

The Common Campus is set to launch in 2025, with key developments such as the Center for Biofabrication and Automated Manufacturing located in the Manchester Millyard and led by Manchester Community College. The planned projects will attract both startups and established companies, driving innovation and strengthening New Hampshire's leadership in biofabrication technology.

For more information about the ReGen Valley Tech Hub, please contact Matt Simon, director of the Biotechnology Innovation Center at UNH Manchester.

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