What They Are Saying: Wisconsin Leaders Praise Baldwin’s Work to Bring Home a Tech Hub
WISCONSIN – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin announced that Wisconsin has been designated by the Biden Administration as a Regional Technology (Tech Hub), an initiative created by the Baldwin-supported CHIPS and Science Act. The designation clears the way for Wisconsin to compete for up to $75 million in funding to enable stakeholders to scale up operations to a global level, align and scale the supply chain and manufacturing sector, improve access to capital to start and grow businesses, and increase lab space and expand opportunities for worker housing and transportation. Additionally, Wisconsin is receiving a $350,000 planning grant to execute its Biohealth Tech Hub strategy.
Public and private partners praised Senator Baldwin’s announcement. Here’s what they’re saying:
“Wisconsin’s designation as a Regional Tech Hub is a testament to the strength of our state’s biohealth and personalized medicine industry,” said Governor Evers. “As this sector continues to grow, it will mean more high-paying jobs and economic growth for our state, as well as innovations that will transform the future of medical care for people in Wisconsin and around the world.”
“There was no surprise that Wisconsin was chosen as an inaugural Tech Hub,” said Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02). “Madison is a world-class city, home to some of the best research institutions, a robust entrepreneurial and manufacturing ecosystem, and a highly skilled workforce. Thank you to the Biden-Harris administration for recognizing Wisconsin and thank you to Senator Tammy Baldwin for her leadership in helping bring this vital tech hub to Wisconsin.”
“This effort is a real win for Wisconsin, expanding economic opportunities for Wisconsin workers and businesses,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04). “Thanks to Senator Baldwin, Wisconsin will continue cultivating a growing, innovative bio health industry. This tech hub brings our state on the cusp of exciting opportunities, including high-paying jobs of the future.”
“Companies like Harley Davidson and Allen-Bradley (now Rockwell Automation) put Wisconsin on the map as a manufacturing powerhouse a hundred years ago. The Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub will nurture the companies that will be recognized a century from now for curing disease and creating innovative new industries,” said Aaron Olver, Chairman, Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub Consortium Steering Committee.
“Today’s announcement by the Biden-Harris administration confirms the competitiveness of Wisconsin’s biohealth assets,” said Jim Paetsch, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Milwaukee 7 Regional Partnership. “Personalized medicine is changing the way in which disease is detected and treated. Our institutional and corporate assets uniquely position the Milwaukee-Madison region to be a global leader in this dynamic and emerging space, which holds great potential for improving human health.”
“We achieved a major milestone and we’re just getting started. Together with other members of the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub consortium, our focus is now on preparing a compelling application to achieve Phase 2 designation which will place our region on a transformative trajectory, securing our future as trailblazers, paving the path to personalized medicine. It’s a path that will be marked by greater educational opportunities, economic growth, amplified collaboration, and a bright future for our state,” said Anjon Audhya, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Basic Research, Biotechnology, and Graduate Studies at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
“The tech hub designation and initial grant is a wonderful recognition of Wisconsin’s contribution to growth and innovation in medical and biotechnology. As a leading global designer, developer, manufacturer and servicer of Healthcare/Life Science products with its headquarters and key talent located in Wisconsin, we are excited to partner with the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub as we look to fulfill our vision to help create the products that build a better world,” said Michael Tendick, Plexus Corp.’s Market Sector Vice President – Healthcare/Life Sciences.
"MATC is ready to serve as a partner to this effort by providing instructional leadership to our students in degree and diploma programs so they will be prepared to work in the state’s burgeoning biohealth industry,” said MATC President Vicki J. Martin, Ph.D.
"Exact Sciences' longstanding commitment to Wisconsin spans over two decades, a testament to the symbiotic relationship between our company and the state's unwavering dedication to workforce development and the advancement of biotechnology,” said Ana Hooker, Chief Laboratory Officer for Exact Sciences. “Wisconsin's relentless pursuit of upskilling its workforce has positioned it as a leader in nurturing talent and fostering innovation. Our collaboration with Senator Baldwin and the community coalition exemplifies Wisconsin's leadership in bringing cutting-edge technology hubs to the heart of our communities, showcasing the power of public-private partnerships in driving economic growth and creating valuable opportunities for the workforce."
“We are excited to see Wisconsin receive both the U.S. Economic Development Association Phase 1 Tech Hub designation and a Strategy Grant to support the build out of a regional strategy and implementation plan to grow Wisconsin’s Tech Hub,” said Jay Hill, Vice President, Advanced Technology, GE HealthCare, former BioForward Board Chair (2021). “GE HealthCare has had a presence in Wisconsin since 1947 and we are proud to be part of the public and private consortium organized by BioForward Wisconsin, and to play a leading role in strengthening the state’s biohealth ecosystem. This recognition is a testament to Wisconsin's leadership in the biohealth industry, highlighting our capabilities for future growth and innovation. We are excited by the potential of personalized medicine and proud to be part of defining that future.”
“Rockwell Automation is thrilled that Wisconsin has received both the Phase 1 Tech Hub designation and a Strategy Grant. As a member of the consortia, we are proud to share our expertise in automation and precision manufacturing with the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub. This recognition and funding will help showcase how the public and private sectors can come together in Wisconsin to drive medical innovations from the laboratory to the marketplace, and create good paying jobs while doing it,” said Michael Cook, Director, Global Academic Engagement.
“This investment in Wisconsin will assist us in creating sustainable career pathways for everyone and help focus our efforts on ensuring our talent pipeline is safe, skilled and diverse and has access to pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship opportunities that have family-sustaining wages,” said Lindsay Blumer, President & CEO at WRTP | BIG STEP and member of the Biohealth Tech Hub Steering Committee.
“The new Regional Tech Hub designation recognizes Wisconsin’s leadership in innovation and biotechnology and brings with it the promise of high skill jobs. At Madison College, we’re looking forward to working with our fellow consortium members to identify workforce needs, and we stand ready to meet these emerging training needs in program areas that will support Wisconsin’s growth as a Regional Tech Hub. This includes developing targeted credentials as well as technical degrees and diplomas that lead directly to employability in Wisconsin’s biohealth workforce,” said Dr. Jack E. Daniels III, President, Madison College.
“Wisconsin’s designation as a Biohealth Tech Hub and receipt of the Strategy Grant recognizes the significant role the Universities of Wisconsin play in helping create a statewide biohealth network. Our universities will provide access to education and research that will help drive growth and innovation in this dynamic field. We are proud to play a critical role in helping Wisconsin win this designation and strategy grant. The Universities of Wisconsin look forward to working with our consortium partners in the public and private sectors to advance the fields of personalized medicine, biohealth technology, precision manufacturing, and automation as we develop talent for companies all across Wisconsin,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman.
“Wisconsin’s Tech Hub designation is another step forward embracing our status as a premier location for personalized medicine technology and growth. As the leading USA-based manufacturer of radiation therapy solutions, Accuray is proud to establish our headquarters in Madison and call Wisconsin home, innovating, manufacturing, and exporting around the world, building on our Wisconsin legacy, said Daniel Biank, Vice President Regulatory & Government Affairs, Accuray.
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