MADISON — On July 2, elected state leaders joined together to announce that Wisconsin has officially been selected as a U.S. Regional Tech Hub, unlocking $49 million to grow the state’s personalized medicine and biohealth sector.

Gov. Tony Evers, together with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), said that over the first 10 years, the Tech Hub designation is projected to create more than 30,000 jobs in the personalized medicine sector and over 111,000 indirect jobs attributable to the Tech Hub in Wisconsin. Additionally, the Tech Hub is projected to create $9 billion worth of economic development in Wisconsin within the first decade.

“From Microsoft’s $3.3 billion investment in an AI datacenter in Mount Pleasant to Thermo Fisher Scientific’s $58 million expansion in Middleton, we’re positioning Wisconsin as a national leader in innovative industries as we work to build the economy we need to meet the demands of the 21st century,” Evers said. 

Wisconsin was awarded a Phase 2 Implementation Grant under the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) program. To apply for this funding, projects first had to earn a Phase I Planning Grant, which Wisconsin was selected for in October 2023. The competitive program saw more than 370 applications from 49 states and four territories.

“I’m grateful to President Biden, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, and our federal partners for seeing the potential and promise in Wisconsin’s biotech industry and working tirelessly to help us secure these critical investments to accelerate research, grow our workforce and economy, and continue building a multi-billion-dollar industry that supports tens of thousands of jobs across our state,” Evers said.

Included in the funding is advancing research and innovation, growing the state’s economy and creating jobs, and boosting American competitiveness in a cutting-edge industry. The coveted designation will allow Wisconsin’s consortium of 15 public and private partners organized by the Evers Administration through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to boost research and expand lab space, increase coordination and collaboration, improve access to capital to start and grow businesses, and further build out the personalized medicine and biohealth technology sector.

“Today’s announcement is proof of what we as Wisconsinites have long known: We have world-class universities, a second-to-none workforce, and a thriving private sector that will drive the next wave of American innovation,” Baldwin said. “Make no mistake, this investment in the Badger State will create and support thousands of good paying jobs, grow our Made in Wisconsin economy, and revolutionize health care as we know it — helping people get the care they need earlier and faster. 

Baldwin said the announcement recognizes the state’s “rich history of innovation and manufacturing” and “doubles down on our state’s potential to be a major player in the next chapter of an up-and-coming industry.”

According to The Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, led by BioForward Wisconsin, additional $7.5 million in state funding and $24 million in industry commitments have been secured, bringing the total funding and commitments to over $80 million. This substantial investment will fuel projects to advance personalized medicine, enhance healthcare outcomes, and drive economic development across Wisconsin.

“We are thrilled to receive a Phase 2 award for the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub,” said Wendy Harris, Regional Innovation Officer. “This funding will enable us to accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge biohealth solutions, positioning Wisconsin as a global leader in personalized medicine.”