Shaheen Leads NH Delegation in Applauding $44M Federal Grant for Manchester to Further Regenerative Medicine Investments through “Build Back Better Regional Challenge”
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Economic Development Administration (EDA), along with U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), applauded the EDA’s announcement that the agency named the BioFabrication Cluster as one of 21 American Rescue Plan Build Back Better Regional Challenge winners. EDA is awarding approximately $44 million in grants to the BioFabrication Cluster, led by the City of Manchester, to establish a biofabrication cluster in Southern New Hampshire. Shaheen, Hassan, Kuster and Pappas all advocated on behalf of this grant.
With $44 million in funding from EDA, the BioFabrication Cluster will establish Southern New Hampshire as the global epicenter for the production and distribution of regenerative tissues and organs. Coalition projects include developing a facility suitable for scaled production of cells, tissues and organs, creating a business accelerator, establishing a cluster work-and-learn program and building pilot stations for a logistics network to be used for future organ distribution.
“I’m excited to see this $44 million heading to Southern New Hampshire to position our state as a leader in cutting-edge science and innovation – not just across the nation, but also on the global stage. This substantial investment will revitalize our communities in meaningful, lasting ways, from creating good-paying jobs to preparing our workforce to propel emerging industries. Manchester and its coalition partners were awarded this competitive grant in recognition of their transformative vision around local biotechnology,” said Senator Shaheen, who is chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Economic Development Administration, which is the awarding agency of this grant. “I’m thrilled to welcome this grant from the innovative Build Back Better Regional Challenge, and I stand ready to support the region’s economic growth and revitalization in the years to come.”
“New Hampshire can lead our country’s emerging biotechnology industry, which is why I was proud to advocate for Manchester to receive this transformative grant,” said Senator Hassan. “New Hampshire is a beacon for innovation, and we know that this project will produce life-saving research and technology for the entire world – all while bringing good-paying jobs to New Hampshire and bolstering our economy.”
“It’s welcome news for our city that the BioFabrication Cluster in Manchester has been announced as a winner of this game-changing funding from the Economic Development Administration,” said Representative Pappas. “I’m grateful for the leadership of Mayor Joyce Craig and her office in seeking out opportunities that will support our businesses and manufacturers as they grow, and I was proud to advocate for this proposal. In recent years, Manchester has transformed itself into a leader in the technology space, and these funds will cement its position as a leader in the development and production of regenerative tissues as well. From improvements to our transportation network to the creation of new jobs and opportunities for workforce development, our community will see countless economic benefits from this funding.”
“This federal funding from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is a meaningful investment in our state and will help push New Hampshire to the forefront of new cutting-edge medical advancements,” said Representative Kuster. “This EDA grant will ensure our state has a major role in the 21st Century economy and will create good-paying jobs for Granite Staters.”
“This is an historic day for the City of Manchester. Through the $44,000,000 awarded to our regional coalition, we’ll not only revolutionize healthcare, but we’ll create thousands of high-paying jobs, and pathways to employment for our residents, regardless of their current level of education or training. Manchester was once the world leader in textile manufacturing, and now, thanks to this investment by the Economic Development Administration, we’ll be the world leader in biofabrication manufacturing as well,” said Mayor Joyce Craig.
“The Build Back Better Regional Challenge provides bold investments in local economies to create good-paying jobs, catalyze emerging industries, and prepare our workforce for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The BioFabrication Cluster will enhance U.S. competitiveness, placing Southern New Hampshire as a global leader in the industry, and ensuring a strong, regional economy for the future.”
“The Economic Development Administration is proud to support the vision of the city of Manchester and its coalition members,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will drive innovation in the local biotechnology industry, support business development, and create jobs while diversifying the regional economy.”
The BioFabrication Cluster is one of 21 winners – each a regional coalition of partnering entities – that will receive awards between $25 million and $65 million to implement an average of six projects that together will enable each region's economic transformation and competitiveness.
The Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) is an unprecedented competitive federal grant program that provides each regional coalition with significant investments to tackle a wide variety of projects – including entrepreneurial support, workforce development, infrastructure, and innovation – to drive inclusive economic growth. Each coalition’s collection of projects aims to develop and strengthen regional industry clusters – all while embracing economic equity, creating good-paying jobs, and enhancing U.S. competitiveness globally. Projects span 24 states and include $94 million to two primarily Tribal coalitions and over $200 million for projects serving communities impacted by the declining use of coal.
As Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Shaheen oversees funding for the EDA. In the fiscal year (FY) 2023 government funding legislation that her Subcommittee released earlier this year, Senator Shaheen included $450 million for the EDA. This level is an increase of $76.5 million above the prior year. Shaheen previously opposed efforts by the Trump administration to reduce or eliminate funding for the EDA, which recently awarded grants to Granite State communities for a wide variety of projects.
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