U.S. Strategic Metals (“USSM”) welcomes the news that Missouri University of Science & Technology (“S&T”) has received $28.5 million in implementation funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) for its efforts focused on critical minerals processing. USSM is an industry partner and consortium member with S&T and the Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy (“CM2AE”) Tech Hub, collaborating on a range of topics in the critical mineral and materials space.
This funding is an important milestone for S&T and the state of Missouri, as 14 counties are represented in the 2M2AE Tech Hub. S&T securing this funding is a validation of the leadership and expertise the university possesses in the critical mineral and materials space for research, innovation, and workforce and supply chain development.
S&T and the CM2AE Tech Hub support USSM’s mission of making Missouri the national champion of critical minerals and materials processing in the United States. “Having partners like S&T and the CM2AE Tech Hub helps pave the way to success for not only USSM, but the state of Missouri as well,” said USSM Co-Founder and CEO Stacy Hastie.
The funds, which come from the CHIPS and Science Act, and will support the construction of an 18,000-square-foot test-bed facility at Missouri S&T to evaluate and develop methodologies for extracting and processing resources that will be used for advanced energy systems.
“We are grateful to the EDA for selecting Missouri S&T for this award, as it has huge economic development implications for our region and could ultimately lead to significant changes for the critical minerals supply chain for the entire nation,” says Dr. Kwame Awuah-Offei, executive director and regional innovation officer of the S&T-led CM2AE Tech Hub.
“This is a proud and defining moment for our region, the state of Missouri and the nation,” says Missouri S&T Chancellor Mo Dehghani. “Through the relentless dedication and collaboration of countless stakeholders, the Economic Development Administration has acknowledged Missouri S&T’s leadership in critical minerals research and the transformative promise of this Tech Hub. Together, we are revitalizing the economies of 14 counties while bolstering the critical minerals supply chain for Missouri and the United States, paving the way for innovation and progress.”
About U.S. Strategic Metals:
U.S. Strategic Metals specializes in the extraction and processing of critical minerals essential for the nation’s industrial and energy sectors. The company is committed to sustainable practices and advancing technologies that enhance U.S. supply chain resilience.
About Missouri S&T:
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T offers over 100 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top public universities for salary impact, according to the Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu