Davids Secures $34 Million Federal Investment to Grow Kansas City's Biomanufacturing Industry, Create Good-Paying Jobs
Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $33.5 million to the Kansas City BioSecure Manufacturing Tech Hub (KC BioHub). The major grant will help expand the region's leadership in biomanufacturing, strengthen domestic supply chains for lifesaving medicines, and create good-paying jobs. The Tech Hubs program and this funding was created through the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, which Davids voted to pass.
"This is a huge win for Kansas City," said Davids. "Our region has everything it takes to lead the future of medical innovation, and this investment is proof that the rest of the country sees that, too. It will help create good-paying jobs, strengthen our regional economy, and reinforce America's supply chains and national security. I'm proud to have helped make this possible, and I'll keep fighting to bring more opportunities like this home to Kansas."
“This award is a vote of confidence in the strength of our regional assets, the depth of our relationships with our partners, and the promise of our shared vision for the future,” said Melissa Roberts Chapman, President & Regional Innovation Officer, KC BioHub. “Together, we have demonstrated that our region has the talent, infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation necessary to onshore the manufacturing of biologics. As a consortium, we have positioned the Kansas City region to lead in the global race to build the next great biotech ecosystem.”
The award marks the latest milestone for the KC BioHub. In 2023, the Kansas City region was selected as one of only 31 inaugural Tech Hubs nationwide because of its unique strengths in biotechnology and biomanufacturing. In 2024, after narrowly missing out on the first round of implementation funding, the consortium received a $500,000 award to continue developing projects and preparing for future investment. Today's announcement builds on that progress by providing approximately $34 million to help bring the region's vision to life.
Led by BioNexus KC, the KC BioHub brings together businesses, research universities, hospitals, entrepreneurs, workforce partners, and state and local governments to position the region as a global leader in biomanufacturing. The consortium focuses on developing and manufacturing biologic medicines and cancer therapies, strengthening domestic production of critical medical technologies, and helping new biotechnology companies grow and commercialize their discoveries more quickly. The investment is expected to accelerate innovation, attract additional private investment, and support the growth of a highly skilled workforce in the region.
Davids has long championed federal investments that strengthen the Kansas economy and create opportunities for workers. She voted for the bipartisanCHIPS and Science Act, which established the Tech Hub program to ensure that the technologies of the future are developed and manufactured in the United States. Davids urged the administration multiple times to grant this designation and led a discussion with senior Department of Commerce officials, local leaders, manufacturers, and researchers to discuss implementation of the bill, including Kansas City's Tech Hub designation.
Since the Kansas City region was first designated as a Tech Hub, Davids has worked alongside regional partners to advocate for continued federal investment and highlight the area's unique strengths in biotechnology, animal health, and advanced manufacturing.