On October 19th, U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Assistant Secretary Alejandra Castillo visited St. Louis to recognize the city’s $25 million federal grant awarded through the EDA’s Build Back Better Challenge. The grant will be utilized to bolster the region’s advanced manufacturing sector and foster job growth, specifically in bioscience and geospatial technology.

During Castillo’s visit, she participated in a tour of the future AMICSTL site and a roundtable discussion with the Build Back Better Challenge proposal partners. Kevin Webb, Chief Operating Officer of the API Innovation Center (APIIC), participated in the roundtable to discuss the expansion of domestic manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for essential and critical medicines. 

The APIIC and the Cortex Innovation Community partnered with Greater St. Louis, Inc. and other members of the St. Louis team to secure the Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant. The APIIC and Cortex will receive $1 million in funding for their work in leading the production of APIs back to the U.S. to strengthen national security and secure public health. To learn more about the awarding of the grant, read this news article.