Congressman Cohen Announces $379,355 for Memphis Bioworks Foundation

Press Release

Today, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a grant in the amount of $379,355 to the Memphis Bioworks Foundation for construction, renovation, and equipment at the research park. The Health Resources and Services Administration, a division of HHS and the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable, awarded the new discretionary grant.

"The Memphis Bioworks Foundation has done an excellent job in establishing Memphis as an internationally recognized biomedical center," said Congressman Cohen. "We have the infrastructure in place with such esteemed research institutions such as St. Jude and the UT Health Science Center, among others, and the Foundation is working to help Memphis capitalize on our assets. These moneys will help fund the new research park with 1.4 million square feet of laboratory space and state-of-the-art technology to bring more research and commercial biomedical investment into our community."

Founded in 2001 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3), the Memphis Bioworks Foundation leads a collaboration of public, private, academic, and government organizations aligned behind the common goal of establishing Memphis as a center for the development and commercialization of biomedical technology. This development can help to transform the economy and revitalize the community. The Foundation has marketed Memphis as ripe with potential, and has recommended building infrastructure, growing the workforce and promoting entrepreneurship as the keys to becoming a truly world-class center for bioscience.

"Bioscience has the ability to create an urban renaissance," said Congressman Cohen. "I share the goals and ideals of the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, and I believe that through bioscience we can create higher paying jobs, new businesses, meaningful research and greater educational opportunities."

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