Rep. Davids highlights need for strengthening domestic supply chains during stop at Olathe bioscience firm

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids visited Olathe-based bioscience firm Ronawk to highlight the value of local companies that are working to return manufacturing and competitive research innovation jobs to the U.S. The stop Wednesday was part of a push by some members of Congress to adopt the America COMPETES Act, which passed the U.S. House earlier this month, largely along party lines.

Davids, a Democrat, voted for the bill.

INNOVATION FOR THE FUTURE

Ronawk, which currently operates out of the Olathe school district's Lindenwood Business Center on Rogers Road, is one of many companies already putting in the work to shore up American supply chains by emphasizing domestic manufacturing, Davids said.

"It's just been really amazing to see cutting-edge work that's happening right here in the Kansas 3rd (District)," Davids said. "I'm blown away by the commitment that I'm seeing here to training, to innovation, and in the ways that that's going to help us."

Ronawk in particular emphasizes work-based learning opportunities for current and former K-12 students, hosting interns from USD 233 and Blue Valley schools with hope to have more in the future, co-founder and chief technology officer Heather Decker said.

Additionally, Ronawk works primarily in stem cell research, combining tissue engineering and 3-D printing to mass produce cells that could be used in medicine. The company's work has contributed to several medical research endeavors, including COVID vaccines.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SHORING UP LOCAL SUPPLY CHAIN

One of Ronawk's key missions is to purchase solely from domestic sources with an emphasis on more local, Kansas-sourced goods as well. Davids said these types of investments in domestic markets will help Kansans' bottom lines by giving the U.S. more control over its goods economy in the short-term, but it will also help in the long-term as well by cutting dependence on outside markets. Altogether, she says, that will be a "boon" for the economy.

"It is very, very clear that we absolutely need to be investing in American workers, in American industries, manufacturing, innovation, and we know that we have the talent," Davids said. We're able to innovate right here at home, and we certainly have the grit and power to make sure that we're able to take our country into the future and continue to lead on innovation and compete against other countries, including China."