Wisconsin’s Emerging Technology Hub: A Focus on Biohealth and Community Development
In August, Mike Hoge, the Senior Vice President for Global Operations at Accuray, led a tour of the company for Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes. Accuray is a significant player in Wisconsin’s biohealth tech hub, specializing in the development of radiation treatment equipment. This visit underscored the state’s growing importance in the biohealth sector, especially following its selection for a federal initiative that includes a substantial $49 million investment.
Wisconsin’s proposal for the technology hub was strengthened by several factors. First, the state already boasted an established and expanding technology sector, particularly in biohealth and personalized medicine. These fields focus on creating innovative diagnostic and treatment technologies tailored to individual patients’ genetic profiles. This existing foundation made Wisconsin an attractive candidate for the federal investment, as it demonstrated potential for further development without starting from scratch.
Cristina Killingsworth, of the Economic Development Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce, emphasized this point during an interview. “We weren’t looking to build a tech ecosystem from scratch,” she said. “We wanted regions across the country to identify areas where they excel, where targeted federal investment could elevate them to a world-class level.” Wisconsin, with its “incredibly robust ecosystem in the biotech space,” was seen as a perfect fit for this initiative. Instead of having to construct a new tech ecosystem, the state would be able to accelerate its existing capabilities.
Another critical factor in Wisconsin’s selection was its relative lack of national prominence for its technological innovations. The tech hub program is designed to ensure that the United States maintains its technological edge. “We can’t do so if we’re only investing in the same handful of cities over and over again,” Killingsworth explained. The program aims to distribute investments across various regions, maximizing the nation’s potential and resources.
The technology hub initiative is part of the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, a wide-ranging bipartisan piece of legislation aimed at revitalizing the U.S. computer chip manufacturing industry and related technology sectors that have increasingly moved overseas. Senator Baldwin played a pivotal role in including the tech hub program within this legislation, advocating for the idea inspired by a 2019 Brookings Institution report that called for fostering “innovation hubs” based on local industrial strengths.
Killingsworth, who serves as the acting assistant secretary of commerce for economic development, visited Wisconsin recently as the keynote speaker at an annual conference organized by BioForward Wisconsin, a nonprofit group representing the state’s biohealth industry. BioForward CEO Lisa Johnson noted the conference’s growth this year, emphasizing its purpose: “It is really to put Wisconsin on the map and to prove we can protect and support national and economic security, making the United States more competitive in the future.”
A crucial aspect of Wisconsin’s proposal was its commitment to serving the broader community. Proposals for the tech hub were required to demonstrate that its benefits would “accrue equitably,” particularly focusing on underserved communities. Killingsworth emphasized the importance of ensuring that these communities could benefit from the tech hub and have a voice in its governance.
Integral to Wisconsin’s tech hub are the Universities of Wisconsin system, including UW-Madison and the Medical College of Wisconsin, along with the state’s technical college system. These institutions are vital not only as research partners but also in developing the skilled workforce that participating industries will require. The collaboration among government agencies, economic development groups, and private industry is essential, as the ultimate goal is to produce marketable products and services.
“This program is also about commercialization,” Killingsworth explained. “It’s not just an R&D [research and development] program; it’s about how we can ensure that the businesses advancing the technologies of the future grow and remain in the United States.” This underscores the necessity for a robust partnership between private industry and government to create an environment conducive to innovation and growth.
One innovative aspect of the Wisconsin tech hub is its plan to develop a statewide health database. Wendy Harris, Regional Innovation Officer at the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, mentioned that this initiative aims to gather data from populations that may have been overlooked in the past. The project also includes a screening program focusing on areas of “social and economic deprivation,” such as tribal communities and impoverished neighborhoods. Harris acknowledged that these efforts might not be possible without federal funding.
“There are certain market gaps and failures that sometimes require outside entities to step in and fill,” Killingsworth noted. Government support can be instrumental in helping smaller suppliers and manufacturers access vital resources like testing and lab equipment, which they might otherwise struggle to obtain.
The result, Killingsworth emphasized, is a more inclusive landscape for private entities. These organizations may find it challenging to establish themselves and grow without the necessary support. “This initiative aims to create the companies that we need to thrive and remain in the United States, commercializing technology critical for our economic and national security,” she stated.
In summary, Wisconsin’s biohealth and personalized medicine sectors have positioned the state as a key beneficiary of the federal technology hub program. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for Wisconsin to build on its existing strengths, fostering innovation while ensuring that the benefits are distributed equitably across communities. As the state continues to grow its technology hub, it aims to enhance its contributions to the U.S. economy and maintain its competitive edge on the national and global stages.
