U.S. Senator Katie Britt Celebrates $15M Award for HudsonAlpha’s BRIDGES Engine, Following Alabama Delegation Sending Letter of Support

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) celebrated a recent U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) award of $15 million to HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville to lead the NSF Biobased Rural Innovation for Domestic Growth and Economic Security (BRIDGES) Engine. The award, granted to just 12 Regional Innovation Engines, comes after Senator Britt joined the Alabama congressional delegation in sending a letter of support for this initiative. The BRIDGES Engine is a partnership across Alabama and Tennessee and has the potential to receive up to $160 million from the NSF over the next decade.

Senator Britt meets with HudsonAlpha VP for Research Administration and Development Dr. Flo Behn, President Dr. Neil Lamb, and Board Chairman Brian Pollack on July 22, 2026.

"I am thrilled to see the National Science Foundation's $15 million investment in Alabama's rural communities and manufacturing and agricultural industries," said Senator Britt. "HudsonAlpha's groundbreaking initiative will create thousands of jobs and generate millions in economic growth over the next several years. This award from NSF underscores Alabama's position as a national leader in agricultural dominance and scientific innovation leadership. I look forward to seeing how these transformative efforts showcase the very best of our rural communities while delivering lasting economic opportunity throughout the state."

Thanks to this historic funding, BRIDGES will work to transform rural economies by advancing domestic biobased manufacturing using locally grown resources. The project combines Alabama's agricultural and manufacturing strengths and will accelerate rural innovation and broad economic growth by leveraging key partnerships with Auburn University, the University of Tennessee, Volkswagen Group of America, AGgrow Tech LLC, and more than 80 others.

BRIDGES will result in substantial economic impacts to Alabama and is projected to generate at least $7.3 billion in the region over 20 years. The project will deliver more than $30 million in direct farm revenue annually, create around 4,000 rural manufacturing jobs, and bring an estimated $280 million annually in income for Alabama's rural workforce.

Alabama's leading role in agriculture, innovation, and manufacturing doesn't just make a difference across the state-our rural communities are critically important to the entire nation. BRIDGES will help Alabama capitalize on expanding access to high-paying skilled work, diversifying farming and product markets, and amplifying manufacturing capacity.

Senator Britt is a tireless champion of Alabama's agricultural and manufacturing industries, and was proud to lead the entire bipartisan Alabama delegation in their successful letter of support.

###