A Perspective on Innovation and Leadership: A Keynote From Congress

Session Overview

In the morning keynote, Congressman Jim Baird made the case for why the United States needs to regain its competitive edge on the global stage, particularly in the semiconductor industry. He celebrated the Indiana-Illinois Corridor's advancements in semiconductor technology and the significant investments and initiatives focused on higher education and advanced manufacturing that promise to further strengthen the region’s position as a national leader in innovation.

Key Session Insights

Congressman Jim Baird opened by remarking on the importance of the Competitiveness Conversation, underscoring the value of having a meeting held in the heart of the Midwest focused on maintaining the United States' competitive edge. As a Vietnam veteran, the Congressman has deep affection for the country, saying, "I love this country, and I have little patience for those who don't appreciate its greatness..." and it is the United States' responsibility to offer hope to cultures around the world. "When hope fades, there's little motivation to get out of bed each morning and strive for something better." That is why Congressman Baird works from his political leadership position to help the United States accelerate technological advancements and invest in innovation to remain competitive and dominant on the world stage.

“Thanks to entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists, and leaders like you, Indiana and Illinois are poised to be the Silicon Heartland.”
The Hon. Jim Baird
United States Congressman (R-IN, O4)

This work and investments are being realized in the region. As an example, Congressman Baird noted the tremendous strides taken to build a semiconductor ecosystem in the Corridor. “In just the past few years, Indiana has secured several multi-billion-dollar investments to establish semiconductor chip research and production facilities. Not only do these investments establish the Midwest’s role in the forefront of American innovation and ingenuity, but they are critical to our national security.”

In a celebratory moment, Congressman Baird expressed support for the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Act. He highlighted that the United States, once a leader in semiconductor manufacturing, now produces only 10 percent of these essential components, while East Asia accounts for 75 percent.  Now, “In the past two years, funds for this bill have been used to spur investment, incentivize, and develop semiconductors.” These investments secure supply chains for products critical to modern life, such as cell phones and automobiles, with modern vehicles alone containing over 1,500 chips.

The Congressman also mentioned the critical role of technology in precision agriculture, which is getting more people excited about agriculture as a career path. Given the importance of farming to the economy and culture of Indiana, the marriage of agriculture and chipmaking is both natural and important to the state.

Congressman Baird commended the progress made within the Indiana-Illinois Innovation Corridor in reviving the American semiconductor industry, including Purdue University's launch of its first semiconductor degree program, which aims to put a dent in the projected industry shortage of approximately 70,000 workers over the next decade. The Congressman also noted as examples Purdue's partnership with Skywater Technologies to build a $1.8 billion fabrication plant—expected to create 750 jobs—the collaboration with MediaTek to establish a semiconductor chip design center in Indiana, and SK Hynix's investment of approximately $3.8 billion to build an advanced memory packaging facility.

Congressman Baird also addressed broader Congressional efforts to enhance American innovation, referencing the reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative, focused on research in quantum computing. Given the strong presence of quantum research across the Indiana-Illinois Corridor, this initiative will further bolster the region as an innovation leader.

The Congressman concluded with a note of appreciation and call to action for attendees to share and commercialize their discoveries with the public to enhance U.S. competitiveness, security, and prosperity.

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