Lawmakers announce $500K federal grant for KC BioHub, tout region’s job creation, innovation

Kansas City’s “top-notch” research capabilities and talented workforce prove the region is ready to lead the country in innovation, said Sharice Davids, revealing news that the local Tech Hubs initiative would receive another $500,000 in federal funding.

The award for the Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (KC BioHub) comes less than a month after the regional effort learned it would need to retool its proposal for more significant, Phase II funding through the competitive, government-backed program.

Tech Hubs, created under the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, seek to ensure that industries of the future — and their quality jobs — are created, grow, and remain in the United States. The legislation was backed by U.S. Reps. Davids, D-Kansas, and Emanuel Cleaver II, D-Missouri.

“These new investments will help KC BioHub continue its crucial work, create good-paying jobs, and attract skilled workers,” said Davids. “Congressman Cleaver and I will continue to be its biggest champions in Congress as it applies for future grant opportunities that benefit our region.”

ICYMI: KC officially earns title of ‘Tech Hub,’ opening door to massive federal grant funding

In October 2023, the greater Kansas City region was designated as a Tech Hub, one of 31 inaugural Tech Hubs across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors. The Tech Hubs Program’s Consortium Accelerator Award will enable KC BioHub to continue its crucial work and advance planning efforts for future implementation of grant funding.

U.S. Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri, speaks at a March event in Kansas City; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“From biomanufacturing to our growing tech industry, Kansas City is leading the country in innovation and attracting talented workers seeking an opportunity to work on cutting-edge research — and the rest of the nation is taking notice,” said Cleaver. “As strong supporters of the bipartisan CHIPS Act, I’m thrilled to join Rep. Davids in announcing another $500,000 in federal funding that will enable the KC BioHub to continue expanding and developing this burgeoning industry throughout the KC Region. It’s just another example of what can be accomplished for our communities when we put people over politics and focus on bipartisan solutions for Missouri workers and families.”

The KC BioHub, a consortium led by BioNexus KC, is focused on increasing domestic production of life-saving vaccines and other preventative technologies by strengthening innovation in animal and human vaccine development.

With the largest concentration of animal health and nutrition companies in the world, the KC BioHub is expected to leverage the region’s biotechnology assets and existing vaccine manufacturing facilities, research institutions, and startup ecosystem to enable the U.S. to capture a greater market share of human vaccine development.

Click here to learn more about the KC BioHub.