WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bill signed by U.S. President Barack Obama at the end of last week could allow Detroit to receive the U.S.’ first patent office outside of the nation’s capital. 

Detroit was selected as the site last year but budget concerns led to postponement. 

The legislation is intended to speed up patent approvals and to reduce the agency’s workload, which reportedly has become backlogged. Offices will be paid for by patent fees. 

The name of Detroiter Elijah J. McCoy, an African-American inventor born in Canada and raised in Ypsilanti, will grace the new Detroit office