Office of Senator Roger Marshall
Washington – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall applauded the U.S. Department of Commerce’s announcement that the Kansas City BioSecure Manufacturing Tech Hub has been selected to receive approximately $34 million through the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Tech Hubs Program.
The award follows Senator Marshall’s letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urging support for the project’s application. Marshall pointed to the Kansas City region’s world-class research institutions, advanced manufacturing base, the Animal Health Corridor, and the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility as the assets that make it uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of American biomanufacturing. Strengthening domestic supply chains, outcompeting China, and protecting national security remain top priorities for Marshall as he continues advocating for Kansas.
“Today marks a significant milestone for the Greater Kansas City area and will help strengthen the future of bio and medical research and development throughout the region,” said Sen. Moran. “I have long supported this program to give Kansas the opportunity to play a key role in supporting our national and economic security through increased research in biotechnology and other key technology areas. I’m pleased by this latest investment that connects our state’s experienced, highly skilled workforce with the resources to advance innovation and support growth across the region.”
“This investment is a major victory for Kansas, American manufacturing, and our national security," said Senator Marshall. “The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the dangers of relying on foreign countries for our medicines and medical supply chains, and America cannot afford to make that mistake again. The Kansas City region has the talent, research institutions, and manufacturing expertise to lead the next generation of biomanufacturing. I’m grateful to Secretary Lutnick and the Trump Administration for recognizing that potential and partnering with us to strengthen America's biomedical supply chain while creating high-quality jobs here in Kansas.”
“President Trump’s leadership is positioning America at the center of advanced manufacturing,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. “This award will position eastern Kansas and western Missouri as a global leader in advanced biomanufacturing for biologic medicines. It will modernize manufacturing processes, strengthen and retool domestic supply chains, and translate discoveries into scalable, resilient, and agile U.S. production of medications.”
The approximately $34 million investment includes:
- $15 million to MRI Global to retrofit a facility into an advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing center.
- $3.8 million to MRI Global to help secure FDA approval and expand adoption of advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.
- $6.2 million to BioNexus Kansas City to establish an end-to-end bioservices network capable of competing with China’s bioservices industry.
- $5.5 million to Kansas Manufacturing Solutions to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical biomanufacturing inputs.
- $2.8 million to BioNexus Kansas City to train workers in artificial intelligence and advanced biomanufacturing.