Congresswoman Wild Celebrates 2-Year Anniversary of CHIPS and Science Act

On August 9th, Congresswoman Susan Wild celebrated the two-year anniversary of the CHIPS and Science Act, a groundbreaking bipartisan law that revitalized and increased American-made semiconductors, streamlined and protected American supply chains, and strengthened national security.

"Two years after working hard to pass the CHIPS and Science Act, we're seeing the impacts right here in the Greater Lehigh Valley," said Congresswoman Wild."Earlier this week, I announced historic funding that we brought home through a CHIPS Act grant, which will allow Allentown to bolster its economy and lower its unemployment rates. This is just the beginning - by investing in American workers and their products, the CHIPS Act will continue to create economic opportunity and good-paying jobs for our workers."

Earlier this week, Congresswoman Wild joined Senator Bob Casey and Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk to announce a highly competitive $20 million grant awarded to the City of Allentown, which was made possible by the CHIPS Act. The Recompete grant, which Congresswoman Wild was instrumental in securing for the district, will remove barriers to employment for Allentown workers. As additional opportunities for CHIPS Act funding are introduced, Congresswoman Wild will push for Pennsylvania's 7th District to be considered as a grant recipient.

Read more about the Recompete grant announcement below:

August 8, 2024 | By James Zipprodt

• U.S. Senator Bob Casey and U.S. Representative Susan Wild played key roles in securing the funding. Casey urgedthe Biden Administration to consider the city for this phase, and Wild sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Economic Development Agency Alejandra Castillo.
• Established through the CHIPS and Science Act, the Recompete Program targets communities struggling with employment gaps that have historically been left behind. Allentown's Recompete plan involves increasing access to affordable child care, transportation, and educational opportunities. Representative Wild called the plan "impressive and comprehensive."

August 8, 2024 | By Jason Addy

• The Lehigh Valley is "really fortunate" because it has "some amazing industries" and companies, and "a lot of economic opportunity," said Wild, D-Lehigh Valley.
• "But that doesn't mean much to you if you are somebody who … cannot access those jobs," she said.
• Allentown's application was one of six EDA officials selected for funding from a pool of 565 submissions, the most the agency has ever received for a single program, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Castillo said.
• A summary of Allentown's Recompete application says the city will work to train a diverse workforce "by connecting underserved communities to high-opportunity industries," like manufacturing and health care.

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