Sen. Tammy Baldwin has called on the Biden administration to bring a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hub) to Wisconsin, according to a recent press release, in a move to help grow the state’s biohealth sector, spurring innovation, growing its economy, and boosting American competitiveness in this cutting-edge industry. Earlier this month, a consortium of 15 public and private partners organized by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) submitted Wisconsin’s application for a Tech Hub to bolster the state as a leader in personalized medicine and biohealth technology.
Baldwin voted to create the Tech Hubs program in the CHIPS and Science Act and helped secure $500 million in funding in the fiscal year 2023 budget. Under the Tech Hubs program, the Economic Development Administration will first designate promising Tech Hubs across the country and award strategy development grants to accelerate the development of future Tech Hubs. From there, EDA will make at least five implementation awards to selected Tech Hubs.
By focusing on biohealth and personal medicine, a Regional Tech Hub in Wisconsin would accelerate industry growth in the state, enhance the health and economic well-being of Wisconsinites, and safeguard national security by keeping sensitive biohealth and genomic data in the U.S.
Baldwin’s letter follows two events she hosted in Madison and Milwaukee to highlight Wisconsin’s strong biohealth industry and Tech Hub application. Baldwin first toured the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research on the UW–Madison campus to discuss the state’s cutting-edge research and integral role in the world’s biohealth industry. Baldwin then hosted a roundtable at Rockwell Automation in Milwaukee with business, education, and workforce development leaders to discuss Wisconsin’s unique position to be a growth center and the economic impact of bringing a Tech Hub to Wisconsin.
