Congressman Cleaver Celebrates More than $34 Million for Kansas City Bio Tech Hub, Applauds Additional Investment in Missouri Innovation

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), celebrates the U.S. Economic Development Administration's (EDA) announcement of approximately $34 million in implementation funding for the Kansas City BioSecure Manufacturing Hub (KC Bio) as part of the federal Tech Hubs Program, along with an additional $38 million for Missouri's Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy Tech Hub (CM2AE) based in Rolla. Tech Hubs was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, which he signed into law in August 2022.

The investments are designed to strengthen America's global competitiveness by accelerating innovation, expanding advanced manufacturing, strengthening domestic supply chains, and positioning regions like Kansas City as national leaders in critical technologies essential to both economic growth and national security.

"Today's announcement is a major victory for the region and our nation's future," said Congressman Cleaver. "The Kansas City region has long been home to world-class research institutions, pioneering life sciences companies, and an unmatched spirit of collaboration. This investment recognizes what we've known for years - that Kansas City is uniquely positioned to lead America in the next generation of biomanufacturing and biotechnology innovation."

The Kansas City BioSecure Manufacturing Tech Hub, led by BioNexus KC and supported by a broad coalition of public, private, academic, and nonprofit partners, was designated as a federal Tech Hub to strengthen domestic bio manufacturing capacity and accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies.

Rep. Cleaver has supported efforts to establish Kansas City as a national leader in biosciences and advanced manufacturing sectors, recognizing both the economic opportunity and the national security importance of developing resilient domestic supply chains for critical technologies.

The announcement follows last week's selection of the University of Missouri-Kansas City to lead a National Science Foundation Innovation Engine, another landmark federal investment that will accelerate research, commercialization, and workforce development across the heartland. Together, the awards reinforce Kansas City's growing role as a national center for innovation and advanced technology.

"These investments are about much more than today's dollars," said Congressman Cleaver. "They are about creating high-paying jobs, strengthening our regional economy, supporting groundbreaking research, and ensuring America, not our global competitors, leads the industries that will define the future."

In addition to the Kansas City Award, the Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy Tech Hub will receive approximately $38 million to strengthen domestic production of the materials necessary for advanced energy technologies. The initiative includes partnerships with institutions across Missouri, including the University of Missouri-Kansas City, further expanding the economic and research benefits for the Kansas City region.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.