The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded Missouri S&T’s Regional Innovation and Technology Hub (Tech Hub) $38 million to help rebuild America’s domestic critical minerals supply chain.

“This federal award is a landmark achievement for Missouri S&T and our partners who have worked to make this vision a reality,” says Missouri S&T Chancellor Mohammad Dehghani. “It recognizes the expertise, commitment and collaborative spirit that define the Tech Hub’s entire region, and it positions the region to attract investment, expand economic opportunities, create high-quality jobs and strengthen America’s domestic critical minerals supply chain.

“Our congressional delegation, Gov. Mike Kehoe and countless partners in government and industry have provided tremendous support throughout this effort, and we are deeply grateful.”

The 14 Missouri counties included in the Tech Hub’s region are Carter, Crawford, Dent, Howell, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Phelps, Reynolds, Shannon, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Texas and Washington.

“Missouri S&T has always operated at the highest levels in researching mining, materials science and other critical fields, as well as in providing a transformational engineering education,” says Mike McEvilly, president of the Missouri S&T Board of Trustees. “This news is a big deal, not just for the university, but for the entire nation’s critical minerals supply chain. It’s something that should make everyone associated with Missouri S&T especially proud.”

S&T’s Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy (CM2AE) Tech Hub will construct an 18,000-square-foot pilot-scale test-bed facility while also supporting regional coordination and accelerating the development and commercialization of technologies used to process minerals that are vital to America’s economic and national security.

“The work Missouri S&T and its partners have done to develop the Tech Hub has been nothing short of extraordinary, and this award recognizes years of collaboration and commitment,” says Todd Graves, chair of the University of Missouri Board of Curators. “It positions Missouri to play an even greater role in strengthening our nation’s critical minerals supply chain while creating lasting opportunities for communities across our state.”

Construction of the test-bed facility is expected to take about two years. Once complete, it will house pilot-scale equipment for mineral processing, materials recycling, and hydrometallurgical methods, allowing researchers and industry partners to test and refine new technologies before they are deployed at commercial scale.

Its design will support a wide range of mineral separation and recovery methods and help accelerate the commercialization of technologies used to produce materials for advanced energy systems, including lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries.

“The University of Missouri System is home to internationally recognized expertise that drives innovation and economic growth, and Missouri S&T’s leadership in critical minerals reflects that excellence,” says University of Missouri President Mun Choi. “Since its founding, Missouri S&T has helped shape the nation’s understanding and development of mineral resources and continues to build on that legacy by leading efforts to strengthen our nation’s security, economy and global competitiveness.”

Economic projections indicate the Tech Hub could generate billions of dollars in economic output across the 14-county region and tens of billions of dollars statewide while creating tens of thousands of jobs over the next decade.

“For more than 155 years, Missouri S&T has been a national leader in mining, metallurgy and mineral exploration and processing,” says Dr. Kwame Awuah-Offei, executive director of the Tech Hub and S&T’s chair and Union Pacific/Rocky Mountain Energy professor of mining and explosives engineering.

“Today, we’re one of the few institutions with the expertise to support the entire critical minerals supply chain, from exploration and extraction to processing, manufacturing and recycling. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s investment builds on that legacy and reflects the strength of our partnerships that make this work possible.”

Awuah-Offei is the university’s principal investigator for the Tech Hub. Joining him as co-principal investigators at Missouri S&T are Dr. Michael Moats, professor of materials science and engineering; Dr. Lana Alagh, a Robert H. Quenon Professor of mining engineering; and Dr. Maciej Zawodniok, associate professor of computer engineering.

For more information about Missouri S&T’s critical minerals efforts, visit criticalminerals.mst.edu.

Read what federal and state leaders say about the Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy Regional Technology and Innovation Hub

“Today’s announcement is another sign that Missouri is becoming a destination for the industries that will drive America’s future. Our state has everything it takes to lead — from world-class research institutions and abundant natural resources to a skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. This investment builds on those strengths and will help turn Missouri S&T’s Tech Hub innovations into thousands of new jobs, new business investments and lasting opportunities for communities across our state.”
— Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe

“I’m proud to see investment pouring into Missouri to drive our advanced manufacturing and critical minerals industry forward. Establishing strong tech hubs across our state will strengthen our domestic supply chains, drive innovation, and create high-paying jobs for Missourians, and I’m excited to see this program implemented and to watch it grow into another Missouri success story.”
— U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt

“For far too long, America has depended on foreign adversaries like China to process critical minerals, which are the backbone of our advanced energy systems and national security.  This $38 million investment in Missouri S&T’s Critical Minerals Tech Hub strengthens the work already underway in Rolla to rebuild that supply chain here at home. I’m proud to see Missouri stepping up to reduce our reliance on foreign minerals and lead the way in establishing America’s critical minerals dominance, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure Missouri S&T has what it needs to see it through.”
 — U.S. Rep. Jason Smith

“This award is great news for Missouri, and I am proud to have supported it. It is crucial for the future of our country that we are able produce critical materials here at home. Missouri S&T and the entire University of Missouri System is primed to lead on this, and I look forward to seeing their progress”
— U.S. Rep Sam Graves

“For too long, the United States has depended on foreign adversaries for the critical minerals and materials that power our economy, our technology and our national security. That is a vulnerability we cannot afford.

That’s why, back in 2025, I joined my colleagues in a letter advocating for the Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy Tech Hub and made the case to the U.S. Economic Development Administration that Missouri S&T and Southeast Missouri have what it takes to help America lead in this critical industry.

We highlighted Missouri’s unmatched geology, mining legacy, research capabilities and workforce as a pathway to strengthen domestic supply chains, reduce our reliance on China and create good-paying jobs right here in Missouri.

Today, that work is paying off. This $38 million investment is a major step toward securing America’s critical mineral supply chains, expanding advanced manufacturing and ensuring Missouri remains at the forefront of the technologies that will define our future.

We’re going to keep building on this momentum, making sure our nation has the resources it needs to compete and win.”
— U.S. Rep. Mark Alford

“Right now, we must remain focused on strengthening America’s economic competitiveness and national security. This investment from the EDA will support important research and development in Missouri, while recognizing the talent and resources that help make our state a leader in advancing critical technologies. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this funding will have on the region and how it will help keep America and Missouri at the forefront of innovation and technological development.”
— U.S. Rep. Bob Onder

“The future of American innovation will be built through regional partnerships like this one. Following last week’s landmark NSF Innovation Engine award at UMKC, this investment in Missouri S&T demonstrates growing national confidence in Missouri’s ability to lead in critical technologies. Together, these investments are accelerating research, strengthening domestic manufacturing, and creating opportunities that will benefit students, businesses, and communities across our great state.”
— U.S. Rep Emanuel Cleaver

“Growing up in Phelps County and studying at Missouri S&T, I’ve had a front-row seat to the incredible work happening in Rolla over the years. This funding will help take that work to an even higher level while strengthening our local economy. I’m proud to see our region leading a national effort of this magnitude.”
— Sen. Justin Brown

“Missouri S&T continues to prove that the work happening here in Rolla has national and international importance. Long before critical minerals became a national priority, Missouri S&T was already leading research and educating students in this field. The Tech Hub is well deserving of this award, and I know it will create meaningful opportunities across our region.”
— Rep. Tara Peters

“Companies want to invest where they have access to talent, research and the resources they need to succeed, and the Tech Hub will provide exactly that. This federal funding, and the pilot-scale test bed that comes with it, will help attract new businesses, create jobs and help jumpstart America’s domestic critical minerals supply chain. I’m proud of Missouri S&T and its partners collaborating to make this opportunity possible and positioning our region to lead the nation’s critical minerals future.”
— Rep. Bennie Cook

“Missouri S&T gave me the education and foundation to build a successful career, and this federal investment in Missouri S&T’s Tech Hub will help create new opportunities for students, workers and communities across Missouri. It’s a real shot in the arm for our region and something we should all celebrate.”
— Rep. Don Mayhew

Read what other leaders say about the Tech Hub

“Strengthening the United States’ critical minerals supply chain requires us not only to mine these resources, but also to process them here at home. This funding for the Tech Hub will accelerate the development of new processing technologies, strengthen America’s manufacturing base and reduce our reliance on foreign sources. Doe Run is proud to be a close partner with Missouri S&T in this important work.”
— Matthew Wohl
President and CEO, The Doe Run Company

“At US Strategic Metals, we’re committed to strengthening America’s supply of strategic materials by processing them domestically, and the Tech Hub is now poised to accelerate those efforts. We appreciate the Economic Development Administration’s recognition of the expertise Missouri S&T and our consortium partners bring to this effort, as well as its investment in advancing America’s domestic critical minerals supply chain.”
— Stacy W. Hastie
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, US Strategic Metals

“This funding is welcome and exciting news for our community. It will help Missouri continue to play a leading role in building a strong domestic supply for critical minerals that support America’s economic and national security.”
— Joey Auxier
Presiding Commissioner, Phelps County, Missouri

“As both the mayor of Rolla and a proud Missouri S&T alumnus, it is exciting to see the university leading such an important effort. This new funding for the Tech Hub will help America build a reliable domestic supply of critical minerals while creating jobs and expanding opportunities in Rolla and our region. It’s a tremendous milestone for both my alma mater and the community I’m proud to serve.”
— Lister Florence
Mayor, City of Rolla

“Our region’s stakeholders have long demonstrated what can happen when education, industry and community partners work toward a common goal. The Tech Hub builds on those partnerships by creating new opportunities for innovation, business growth and private investment. It positions the greater Rolla area to continue attracting employers, supporting new jobs and strengthening our local economy while contributing to the long-term economic growth of Missouri and the nation.”
— Dale Martin
Executive Director, Geared for Phelps

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.