BOSTON, BURLINGTON, WORCESTER, GLOUCESTER, WALTHAM, MA; PROVIDENCE, SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI; PORTLAND, ME; ISSUED MARCH 14, 2022…BioConnects New England, a multi-state coalition and finalist of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, a $1 billion program sponsored by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), recently announced that it received the support from the full federal Massachusetts congressional delegation.
Senators Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Jake Auchincloss, Katherine Clark, William R. Keating, Stephen F. Lynch, James P. McGovern, Seth Moulton, Richard E. Neal, Ayanna Pressley, and Lori Trahan all signed a letter of support addressed to the EDA, encouraging the department’s “fair and full consideration.”
Through this initiative, BioConnects New England intends to build on the early success of the biotechnology industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors in New England with national importance, to create a biomanufacturing cluster that includes low- and moderate-income communities throughout Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island that have been historically left behind during previous economic recoveries.
“Regional planning agencies and commissions, industry leaders, and government partners alike throughout the New England region have all identified significant economic development and workforce needs in the life sciences and biotech industries that strategically align with BCNE’s objectives,” said the delegation in their letter of support. “Therefore, this coalition-led regional network platform will create real opportunities for jobseekers looking for more training and/or a career change that will encourage entrepreneurs to expand their New England footprint in the existing hubs and beyond. This coalition is proposing real solutions to identified workforce and economic development challenges that will grow the biotech and life sciences industries, build equity, and expand opportunity, while helping our region to ‘build back better.’”
“We are so grateful for the support of the Massachusetts congressional delegation,” said Jared Auclair, Ph.D., associate dean at Northeastern University and director of their Biopharmaceutical Analysis Training Lab, and co-lead of BioConnects New England. “With their endorsement, we can more effectively make headway on our goals of increasing employment and educational opportunities within the life sciences industry, especially for underserved regions and populations.
ABOUT BIOCONNECTS NEW ENGLAND
BioConnects New England is a multi-state coalition and finalist of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge—a $1 billion program sponsored by the Economic Development Administration. Through this initiative, BioConnects New England intends to build on the early success of the biotechnology industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors in New England with national importance, to create a biomanufacturing cluster that includes low- and moderate-income communities throughout Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island that have been historically left behind during previous economic recoveries. This coalition will connect hubs throughout New England to support existing—and establish new—biomanufacturing infrastructure as a pathway to increase employment and educational opportunities for underserved regions and populations.
Massachusetts-based Northeastern University leads the BioConnects New England Coalition, which includes the Biopharmaceutical Analysis Training Laboratory at Northeastern University (Burlington, Mass.), the Roux Institute at Northeastern University (Portland, Maine), Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (Waltham, Mass.), Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the I-195 Design & Innovation District (Providence, R.I.), the University of Rhode Island, and FocusMaine, located in Portland.
For more information about BioConnects New England, please email team@bioconnectsne.com or visit https://bioconnectsne.com or @bioconnectsNE on Twitter or Instagram.
