How the Midwest Can Spark the U.S. Economy
A two-part series hosted by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the Wisconsin Technology Council, Michael Best Strategies and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Part One: Why Midwest Assets Are Vital for Growth
This 60-minute discussion with regional thought leaders on why Midwest states are uniquely equipped to spark the nation’s economy and drive meaningful innovation will explore recent research on how place-based investments in emerging growth centers across the country can remedy regional gaps in capital investment, maintain U.S. leadership in innovation, and attract the tech stars of the future to the nation’s heartland.
- John Austin, Senior Fellow Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution
- Ruben Anthony, CEO and President, Urban League of Greater Madison
- Erik Iverson, CEO, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
- Tom Still (moderator), President, Wisconsin Technology Council
Part Two: How the Endless Frontier Act Will Catalyze Innovation and Economic Growth
This 60-minute discussion will include congressional co-sponsors and advocates of the Endless Frontier Act who will explain why now is the time, and the Midwest is the place, for bold investments in science, technology and innovation. For the last century, the United States had been the undisputed, global leader in university and industry research. Our panelists will explain how targeted federal investment in emerging growth centers focused on quantum computing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and manufacturing can extend and expand U.S. leadership into the twenty-first century and beyond.
- Mike Gallagher, Congressman, R-WI 8th District
- Ro Khanna, Congressman, D-CA 17th District
- Mark Mone, Chancellor, UW-Milwaukee
- Melissa Skala, Investigator, Morgridge Institute for Research; Professor of Biomedical Engineering, UW-Madison
- Tom Still (moderator), President, Wisconsin Technology Council
