University Center for Economic Development earns recognitions from NCET

UCED receives the Lithium Loop Award; Dick Bartholet recognized as Sustainability Leader of the Year

Business & Entrepreneurship | May 22, 2025
Amy Demuth
Nevada Tech Hub team at NCET awards in front of a decorative NCET sign.

University Center for Economic Development earns recognitions from NCET

UCED receives the Lithium Loop Award; Dick Bartholet recognized as Sustainability Leader of the Year

Business & Entrepreneurship | May 22, 2025
Amy Demuth
Nevada Tech Hub team at NCET awards in front of a decorative NCET sign.

The University Center for Economic Development (UCED), part of the College of Business, was honored with two awards at the 18th annual NCET (Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology) Tech Awards May 20, 2025, at the Grand Sierra Resort. UCED Director Fred Steinmann received the Lithium Loop Award, recognizing the organization’s work toward creating a closed-loop lithium ecosystem in Nevada. In addition, Nevada Tech Hub Regional Innovation Officer Dick Bartholet was honored as Sustainability Leader of the Year for his contributions to the Nevada Tech Hub.

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Nevada Tech Hub, led by UCED at the College of Business, is a consortium of governmental, industry, educational and nonprofit organizations all aligning toward a common goal: to leverage Nevada’s rich natural resources and develop a full-spectrum lithium economy within the state. The Nevada Tech Hub is one of 31 Tech Hub designees nationally. The program, funded by the CHIPS & Science Act in 2022, invests in regional partnerships to grow critical industries, strengthen national security and create high-quality jobs. Nevada Tech Hub is focused on building a complete “Lithium Loop,” a closed-loop lithium economy that includes extraction, processing, battery manufacturing and recycling all taking place within the state. The Nevada Tech Hub is working to make Nevada a global leader in critical minerals and electric vehicle materials. By using the state’s natural resources, supporting innovation and bringing people and organizations together, the effort supports both national strength and a sustainable future.

Nevada Tech Hub consortium members were also honored at the event, with representatives from Redwood Materials accepting the award for Sustainability Company of the Year, and Nevadaworks honored with the Public Sector Innovation Award.

Now in its 18th year, the NCET Technology Awards celebrate the individuals and companies who have greatly enhanced the growth and prestige of the technology community. In addition to the UCED awards, the Latino Research Center at the University was recognized as Nonprofit of the Year. Find more information on NCET at NCETawards.org. Visit online for more information on UCED or Nevada Tech Hub.

Business & Entrepreneurship | May 22, 2025
Amy Demuth
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