Lujan Introduces Innovation Package to Spur Growth and Opportunities for New Mexicans

Statement

Today, Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, introduced a package of legislative efforts to spur growth, innovation, and opportunities for New Mexicans.

The Innovate to Create package will leverage New Mexico's resources, including national laboratories and public libraries, to combat the brain drain by preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. Additionally, Luján's innovation package supports community solar to ensure-low income communities can benefit from solar energy -- an important initiative to boost the renewable energy economy and create new, green jobs. The legislation also includes much-needed infrastructure investments in national laboratories to ensure they continue leading the world in innovation and advancement, a major priority for Luján as co-chair of the National Labs Caucus.

"Supporting new jobs and opportunities for New Mexicans is critical for securing economic success and preparing for the future. By harnessing our state's existing infrastructure and resources, we can create a jobs pipeline to employ New Mexicans in high demand, good-paying jobs," said Luján. "This innovation package will help address the challenges of the future and support economic development for New Mexico."

The package includes the following bills:

The TechSMART Workforce Development Act addresses the unmet need for training for STEM careers by investing in professional development and training for high-demand jobs, including at New Mexico's national laboratories. The legislation creates a jobs pipeline by supporting apprenticeship programs, local partnerships, and eliminating barriers to employment.

The Community Solar Consumer Choice Act supports the growth of solar energy by making community solar more accessible to lower-income communities. Currently, 50 percent of American households and businesses cannot afford the cost of solar installation or live in buildings that cannot host solar panels. Directing new resources to expand solar power through community solar projects is not only a tangible way to combat the climate crisis but will also open the pathway to high-paying green economy jobs.

The Public Library Innovation Space Act harnesses public libraries to promote the development of "Maker Spaces' to encourage innovation, economic development, and job creation. By inspiring, teaching, and invigorating our communities through technology, innovation, arts, and other foundational skills, we can create opportunities for individuals to secure high-tech jobs. Nearly one-third of all U.S. public libraries serve communities of 2,500 residents or fewer, making this legislation critically important for rural Americans to access the technologies that are the foundation of our economy.

The Leveraging our National Labs to Develop Tomorrow's Technology Leaders Act strengthens the Department of Energy's Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program, which utilizes national laboratories to train and develop the next generation of tech entrepreneurs to meet the broader challenges and needs facing our communities.

The Restore and Modernize Our National Labs Act invests $6 billion to modernize the infrastructure of our national laboratories and ensure our laboratories can focus on the science and technology challenges of the future.

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