Legislation Supports Local Businesses and Lowers Costs for Families
Parsippany, NJ–– Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) hosted a roundtable at Wireless Telecom Group to highlight the CHIPS and Science Act, which will support NJ-11 businesses and lower costs for families. This bipartisan legislation provides about $52 billion for domestic semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing, as well as authorizing major funding increases for science and technology research and development.
The CHIPS and Science Act was signed into law in August 2022.
"The CHIPS and Science Act will lower costs for New Jersey families, create and protect thousands of jobs, and demonstrate to businesses across the U.S. that we are building for the future,” said Rep. Sherrill. “This game-changing, common-sense legislation will make a real difference in people's lives, setting us up for decades of economic prosperity. I want to thank all of the businesses, education leaders, and local officials who convened today to discuss this major victory for New Jersey families and the New Jersey economy.”
Rep. Sherrill spoke with local businesses, economic organizations, and colleges about how this legislation will positively impact their work and bring down costs. The following individuals participated in the round table:
Timothy Whelan, CEO, Wireless Telecom Group
Phil Delp, VP, Wireless Telecom Group
John Kennedy, CEO, NJMEP
Michele Siekerka, President & CEO, NJBIA
Matt Seitel, Coordinator/Plant Manager, Norwalt Design Inc.
Jeremy Gutjahr, Plant Manager, Norwalt Design Inc.
Bill Foley, President, American Microsemiconductor Inc.
Heidi Hemmer, SVP of Engineering, Verizon
Tony Iacono, President, County College of Morris
Jim Appleton, CEO, New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR)
Mike Stanzilis, VP of Membership & Government Affairs, Morris County Chamber of Commerce
Tayfun Selen, Director, Morris County Board of County Commissioners
A link to the roundtable can be found here.
“The CHIPS and Science Act will help unlock semiconductor component availability for which the current constraints have caused significant and multi-tiered challenges to businesses of all sizes and in all sectors. Our specialized test and measurement equipment serves demanding needs for the defense sector, government agencies, semiconductor test environment, and the satellite communications markets and this Act will help address current sourcing risks and unlock longer-term business and educational investments for continued development and innovation serving our customers”, said Tim Whelan, CEO of Wireless Telecom Group, Inc. a global designer and manufacturer of advanced RF and microwave components, modules, systems, and instruments based in Parsippany, New Jersey.
“The world view on manufacturing and supply chain has changed drastically over the past several years, and certainly has applied more pressure on U.S. manufacturing to step up and compete. The Federal Government’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership has certainly done its part, and NJMEP has helped lead the way, said John W. Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program. “Thanks to the support of our NJ Delegation led by Senator Bob Menendez and House Co-Sponsor Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, we won’t be handicapped by the lack of depth in our knowledge of ‘what we produce and where do we do so’. These leaders have been tireless in pursuing this critical step. Now that the “CHIPS and Science Act” with the National Supply Chain Database has passed, it’s a game-changer on multiple levels.”
“It’s time to make New Jersey the Silicon Valley of the East Coast. The CHIPS act is the first big step in that direction. This will help bring high paying high tech jobs to New Jersey. The Morris County Chamber Of Commerce truly appreciates Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill‘s support of the business community,” said Michael Stanzilis, Vice President of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.
“With the passing of the CHIPS Act to incentivize much-needed growth of domestic computer chip manufacturing and semiconductors, it is now incumbent upon us to ensure that New Jersey is a major player in this critical manufacturing boom," said NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka. "We have an amazing opportunity to continue and grow our historic path of innovation, which will result in more jobs and revenue for the state. Through our Manufacturing Counts partnership with NJMEP, we will coordinate efforts and resources to see that New Jersey is a hub for semiconductor manufacturing so our state can lead the charge in providing intelligence to modern electronics, household machines and automobiles."
“The CHIPs Act offers real promise that the semiconductor industry will soon be capable of meeting the auto industry’s surging demand for semiconductors; demand that is expected to grow exponentially in the years ahead as more electric cars are built and as infotainment and driver assist systems become more advanced, said James Brian Appleton, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers. “The new law comes 18 months into a microchip shortage that has crippled worldwide production and sent average motor vehicle transaction prices soaring. It will take time, but this legislation offers real hope for consumers that supply will soon catch up with demand and transaction prices will moderate.”
“The CHIPS and Science Act strongly supported by Congresswoman Sherrill and Senator Menendez has the ability to improve life for New Jersey residents immediately and plants deep seeds for New Jersey’s future. It opens up profound opportunities for High School and College students while providing the support that industry needs in a way that will distinguish New Jersey as a national leader in education and in its workforce,” said Dr Anthony J. Iacono, president of County College of Morris.
“I’m thrilled personally and professionally to have help from the CHIPS and Science Act,” said Heidi Hemmer, SVP of Engineering at Verizon, during the roundtable. “When we bring manufacturing back to the states, we can use American resources to do research and development, working with local manufacturers to make sure that we have technology that is secure for New Jerseyans, and all Americans.”
“The CHIPS Act will provide a great benefit for manufacturing in the state as a whole. Norwalt is working with organizations like NJMEP and CCM to engage high school and middle school interests in the manufacturing field. Having these workers well rounded in all aspects of manufacturing will provide immediate benefit to the state of New Jersey, aligning with the core values of the CHIPS Act. The supply chain has been a huge issue for all manufacturing companies and a lot of the supply chain shortages stems from not having people, and Norwalt feels the company can help get more workers in the manufacturing industry,” said Matthew Seitel MBA, Continuous Improvement Coordinator at Norwalt.
“The semiconductor industry is facing two distinct challenges: Firstly, lack of skilled engineers and secondly, 85% of required manufacturing equipment is located outside of the United States. To date, it has been an industry challenge to increase wafer production domestically while simultaneously training a new generation of microelectronic engineers. The CHIPS and Science Act aims to solve both of these problems which will benefit the American supply chain and mitigate future risks from foreign workforce dependency,” said Bill Foley, President of American Microsemiconductor Inc.
Beyond this legislation, Rep. Sherrill has also worked on many legislative and administrative efforts to reduce prices for families and address supply chain bottlenecks. The Congresswoman votedfor legislation to reduce fuel and food prices, co-sponsoredlegislation to strengthen the manufacturing supply chain and establish a Critical Supply Chains Commission, called for legislative action to ease supply chain bottlenecks, and urged the Department of Labor to prioritize training for truck drivers. Rep. Sherrill is also a member of the Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force.
###
Original source can be found here.
