Davids Discusses Impact of Semiconductor Manufacturing Investments with Kansas Business Leaders

Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a roundtable discussion with local technology and manufacturing leaders to discuss how new semiconductor manufacturing investments will benefit the Kansas Third, including by bringing jobs to the area, lowering costs for consumers, and supporting workforce development. The bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, for which Davids served as a key negotiator, also includes support for small- and medium-sized manufacturers, a Davids-led priority to ensure funding is distributed beyond large corporations.

"The chips legislation we gathered to discuss today is a historic investment in lowering costs for Kansas businesses and families and making more goods here at home," said Davids. "In listening to our local technology, manufacturing, and business leaders, I was once again reminded of the skill and innovation we have right here in our backyard. Kansas is ready to be a national leader in manufacturing, and this bipartisan legislation I supported will help us get there, all while strengthening our families' financial future."

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Rep. Sharice Davids speaks with local manufacturing, technology, and business leaders on the recently passed supply chain and manufacturing legislation.

"JE Dunn appreciates the Congresswoman's leadership on the CHIPS legislation," said Chris Hermreck, Vice President of JE Dunn Construction. "We've always supported Members of Congress working together to find bipartisan solutions to the challenges facing American businesses, so we'd like to thank Representative Davids—as well as Representative Cleaver and Senators Moran and Blunt—for supporting the CHIPS Act. We are proud to be among the few domestic contractors positioned to build these advanced manufacturing facilities and excited for the opportunity to build more of these facilities in the US because of this legislation."

"KMS is appreciative of legislation that supports manufacturing as we work together to strengthen and grow domestic manufacturing and evolve our state manufacturing database, CONNEX Kansas, which ties into a national manufacturing database, allowing Kansas manufacturers the ability to network to source their supply chain needs," said Tiffany Stovall, CEO of Kansas Manufacturing Solutions.

"We're very pleased that both the Senate and House passed the CHIPS and Science Act," says Joe Reardon, President & CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. " This bill is critical to advancing the technological capabilities of our nation while bringing new investments in research, innovation, and American manufacturing to our region. KC Chamber is also pleased that the bill establishes a regional technology and innovation hub program. Because of the great resources already located here in the bi-state region, Kansas City is primed to take advantage of potentially becoming a regional tech hub to turbocharge its research development, manufacturing, and innovation capabilities."

"The bipartisan passage of the CHIPS and Science Act is terrific news for Kansas City's tech industry," said Kara Lowe, President & CEO of KC Tech Council. "This bi-state region excels in both technology and manufacturing, so it's no surprise that we display a particular strength when those industries intersect. With a technology workforce that exceeds the size of many of our competing markets, we have the intellectual capital to take full advantage of the resources within the bill to infuse regional tech and innovation hubs. And with our region's recent high-profile successes in drawing significant investment from Panasonic and Meta, we've proven ready to become a true tech hub of the future."

Semiconductors, or chips, are necessary components of many everyday items including cars, smartphones, and medical devices, but only 12 percent are currently manufactured domestically - down from 37 percent in the 1990s. As part of her negotiations on this bill, Davids visited with local businesses about how the chips shortage affects their daily operations. She visited Cherub Medical Supplies, a Shawnee-based supplier of pediatric medical devices, that grappled with long delays. She also toured the local General Motors Fairfax Assembly & Stamping Plant, which idled for several months last year due to the shortage, forcing their 2,000 workers to stay home.

The CHIPS and Science Act, which President Biden signed into law this morning:

• Lowers costs for American consumers – by making more critical semiconductor components in America, helping end the shortage of chips that have driven up the price of everything from cars to consumer goods.
• Creates 100,000 new, good-paying jobs nationwide – supporting local workforce development.
• Ends America's dependence on foreign manufacturers – bringing critical semiconductor manufacturing back home.
• Turbocharges American research and development – ensuring that the technologies of the future are made here at home.

Along with Davids, roundtable participants included:

• Phil Brown, Director of Marketing, Kansas Manufacturing Solutions
• Alexa Chmieleski, manager of Digital Communications, KC Tech Council
• Sam Cress, Branch Manager, Pediatric Home Service
• Chris Hermreck, Vice President, JE Dunn Construction
• Emily Lucas, Assistant Director of Government Relations, Microelectronics Collection
• Clint Robinson, Associate Vice President for State & Local Government Affairs, Black and Veatch
• Joe Reardon, President & CEO, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
• Dave Stein, Regional Director, Kansas Manufacturing Solutions
• Tiffany Stovall, CEO/President, Kansas Manufacturing Solutions
• Dr. Candan Tamerler-Behar, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Kansas