CBICC joins coalition to advocate for ‘critical funding’ for research in federal budget
As a way to advocate for maintaining and increasing federal funding for research in the federal government’s budget and beyond, the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County recently joined the Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition, a growing nationwide alliance of business organizations and chambers of commerce.
The Business for Federal Research Funding was relaunched in April by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, a news release from CBICC states, and it includes more than 70 business organizations and chambers across 33 states. The group is nonpartisan.
James E. Rooney, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, said he was thrilled with CBICC joining the coalition.
“Around the country, communities, businesses, and institutions receive funding for important research and development. With a united voice, we are advocating for critical funding that will advance our region’s local economy as well as our global competitiveness,” Rooney said in the release.
Federal research helps to drive innovation, economic growth and job creation. Grants from the National Institutes of Health in 2024 produced $94.5 billion in economic activity nationwide and supported more than 400,000 jobs, the release states. And, for every dollar invested in NIH research, $2.65 in new economic activity is generated, it states.
As part of the coalition, CBICC will work with other organizations and policymakers to advocate for federal investment in research. Greg Scott, CEO and president of CBICC, said their participation ensures the county is represented in “high-level budget conversations” and that the region benefits from research.
Penn State is the largest employer in Centre County and contributes $4.3 billion to the local economy annually and supports about 36,000 jobs.
But research funding at higher education institutions across the country has been under attack since the Donald Trump administration took office. In May, Penn State said while it had not been impacted as heavily as some of its peer institutions, it still lost 45 federal grants and about $10 million in funding as the federal government canceled research grants at institutions across the country.
Andrew Read, senior vice president for research at the university, said in the release federal funding is essential to sustaining and expanding research.
“The Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition’s dedicated advocacy efforts will help ensure that our institution … continues delivering that impact for years to come,” Read said.
