Cantwell Statement on Spokane Tech Hub Funding Delay

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released this statement regarding today’sannouncementby the U.S. Department of Commerce to delay funding for six Tech Hubs nationwide, including $48 million in fundingpreviously announcedfor Spokane’s American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC).
“This is an unnecessary delay in a very fast race for future aerospace jobs critical to America’s economic success. In the Economic Development Agency's own announcement today, they confirm the Spokane Coeur d'Alene Tech Hub award.
“So now why the delay?
“Are they actually trying to lose the race?
“Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said at his confirmation hearing that he would not withhold previous awards from the Biden Administration.
“This is causing us chaos and uncertainty in a race against world competitors to build high rate manufactured composites likely to determine which country wins the aerospace future.”
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