Davids, Cleaver Announce Federal Grant to Create Jobs, Advance Cutting-Edge Research in KC Region

Today, U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (KC BioHub) with $500,000 as part of the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hub) program. Tech Hubs, created under the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, seek to ensure that industries of the future — and their quality jobs — are created, grow, and remain in the United States.

“With our top-notch research capabilities and talented workforce, the KC region is ready to lead the country in innovation,” said Davids. “These new investments will help KC BioHub continue its crucial work, create good-paying jobs, and attract skilled workers. Congressman Cleaver and I will continue to be its biggest champions in Congress as it applies for future grant opportunities that benefit our region.”

“From biomanufacturing to our growing tech industry, Kansas City is leading the country in innovation and attracting talented workers seeking an opportunity to work on cutting-edge research — and the rest of the nation is taking notice,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As strong supporters of the bipartisan CHIPS Act, I’m thrilled to join Representative Davids in announcing another $500,000 in federal funding that will enable the KC BioHub to continue expanding and developing this burgeoning industry throughout the KC Region. It’s just another example of what can be accomplished for our communities when we put people over politics and focus on bipartisan solutions for Missouri workers and families.”

In October 2023, the greater Kansas City region was designated as a Tech Hub, one of 31 inaugural Tech Hubs across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors. The Tech Hubs Program’s Consortium Accelerator Award will enable KC BioHub to continue its crucial work and advance planning efforts for future implementation of grant funding.

The KC BioHub, a consortium led by BioNexus KC, is increasing domestic production of life-saving vaccines and other preventative technologies by strengthening innovation in animal and human vaccine development. With the largest concentration of animal health and nutrition companies in the world, this Tech Hub will leverage the region’s biotechnology assets and existing vaccine manufacturing facilities, research institutions, and startup ecosystem to enable the U.S. to capture a greater market share of human vaccine development.

In 2022, Reps. Davids and Cleaver voted for the bipartisanCHIPS and Science Act, which aims to bring supply chains back to the United States, encourage innovation, strengthen American manufacturing, and secure the nation’s economic and national security in the decades to come. In August, the representatives called on Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to support the selection of Kansas City as a Tech Hub. Davids then held a roundtable discussion with a senior DOC official, local electeds, manufacturers, and researchers to discuss CHIPS and Science Act implementation, including Kansas City’s Tech Hub designation.