Evan ThomasPresident Obama spent part of his State of the Union address Tuesday to advocate strengthening the U.S.' positions on technology.
He announced support for new tech manufacturing — specifically, six new high-end centers around the country by the end of the year. (Via CNET)
"My administration's launched two hubs for high-tech manufacturing in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Youngstown, Ohio. Tonight, I'm announcing we'll launch six more this year." (Via C-SPAN)
These hubs combine resources and people from local companies and universities and the government. The latest operation in Raleigh will focus on semiconductor production. (Via The White House)
The president didn't detail a timeline for his manufacturing hubs except to say they'd be running by the end of 2014. The six new operations would bring the administration halfway to its initial goal of 15 such centers. (Via The White House)
President Obama first laid out this plan in his 2013 State of the Union, where he called for congressional support for his tech hubs. And even without that support, he's moved forward. (Via The New York Times)
"We can't wait for Congress to solve it. Where I can act, on my own, without Congress, I'm going to do so. And today I'm here to act." (Via CBS)
Of course, the president is still welcoming Congressional action. In his address Tuesday, he urged lawmakers to "Get those bills to my desk and put more Americans back to work." (Via Scientific American)
