Idaho tech hub projects all to be considered for funding by EDA

Five component projects submitted for funding consideration are moving onto a final round by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

The Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium stated that the projects were chosen by the EDA to move on to Stage II of the funding competition.

According to IAEC, the projects are part of the Intermountain West Nuclear Energy Corridor (INEC), an organization comprised of 45 member-partners from across Idaho and Wyoming, which was established in 2023 to advance the growth and competitiveness of advanced energy and manufacturing technologies in the United States.

INEC was one of only 19 tech hubs out of 31 in the country that were invited to submit projects for funding consideration. INEC’s proposal was submitted in November 2025 during Stage I of the EDA funding competition. Stage II proposals will be submitted by this February, and final funding decisions are scheduled to be announced this spring.

“With the support of the EDA, the INEC Tech Hub is positioned as America’s premier nuclear demonstration site,” said Christ Gilchirst, executive director of IAEC. “This advancement secures the nation’s future in energy production, economic competitiveness and national security.”

The five projects are accelerating advanced reactor deployment, modernizing fuel management, growing the nuclear workforce, reinvigorating the nuclear supply chain and scaling America’s nuclear innovation.

The tech hub is seeking approximately $75 million to begin the five projects over the course of the next five years.

Along with developing energy production to meet demands, the projects have the potential to aid in the economic development of the Intermountain West region.

“This advancement reflects the strength of our public-private partnerships and our consortium’s ability to deliver on ambitious goals,” said Kirt Marlow, president of IAEC. “We’re grateful for the EDA’s confidence and eager to demonstrate how strategic investment in our Tech Hub will accelerate America’s energy transition.”