SYRACUSE, N.Y., January 24, 2021 – PRESS RELEASE from U.S. Senator Chuch Schumer
FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF THE “BUY AMERICA” PROVISION OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND JOBS BILL, SCHUMER BRINGS COMMERCE DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP TO SYRACUSE’S JMA TO SEE THE BENEFITS FIRSTHAND AND CEMENT SYRACUSE AS 5G-WIRELESS CAPITAL OF THE U.S. & GROW MORE JOBS DOWNTOWN; NEW LAW MEANS THAT NY –NOT CHINA– WILL BE AMONG FIRST IN LINE TO COMPETE FOR $65 BILLION DOLLARS IN NEW BROADBAND WORK & UNLEASH JMA’S POTENTIAL
Schumer-Negotiated Bill That Has Been Signed Into Law Will Put NY Manufacturers Like Syracuse’s JMA Wireless At The Front Of The Line For New Work Building America’s Wireless Infrastructure; New Law Not Only Created A $65B Pot To Expand High-Speed Internet Access –BUT – Applied Buy America Rules So That American Firms, Like JMA, Can Compete for Work
As The Commerce Department Distributes Funding From New Law, JMA’s Syracuse-Made Products Will Be Positioned To Help Innovate & Close Digital Divide Across Nation —This Will Mean More & More Local Jobs And Further Central New York As A National Tech Hub
Schumer Now Working To Pass The U.S. Innovation And Competition Act To Provide An Additional $1.5 Billion To Advance 5G – and even 6G –Technology To Further Power JMA Wireless’s Expansion
Schumer: Syracuse, Already Known For Tip-Of-The-Tongue Industries, Can Cement 5G To The List
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today brought U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves to tour JMA Wireless’s new facility in Syracuse and announce how the recently passed bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s (IIJA) Build America, Buy America provision is a boon for Syracuse and will ensure American taxpayers dollars buy American-made products for any federally-funded infrastructure projects. Schumer said the historic investments in the IJIA includes $65 billion to expand high-speed internet across the country – the vast majority of which will be distributed by the Department of Commerce –and thanks to provisions he fought for, will support American manufacturing and workers, like those at JMA Wireless in Syracuse. Schumer is also pushing for final passage of his U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which provides $1.5 billion in emergency appropriations for next generation telecommunications technology development, which can further accelerate JMA Wireless’s expansion.
“The Build America, Buy America provision I fought to include in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will ensure American manufacturers – not Chinese or other foreign companies – are at the front of the line for new work when it comes to rebuilding America’s infrastructure,” said Senator Schumer. “The new law includes a record $65 billion for the expansion of high-speed internet and it will ensure American-made products – like the cutting edge technology produced by JMA Wireless – will be used to bridge the digital divide, all while creating high-tech manufacturing jobs right here in Syracuse and helping further Central New York as an emerging national tech hub. That is why I brought Commerce Deputy Secretary Graves to JMA to see firsthand how Central New York is leading the way for America’s future in 5G and can help the Department of Commerce meet its goals when distributing funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law.”
Schumer explained that he worked to include the Build America, Buy America Act in the bipartisan infrastructure deal to ensure that Buy America rules apply to all taxpayer-funded infrastructure and public works projects. Currently, American-made sourcing requirements apply to some federal infrastructure projects, but not all, including federal broadband programs. Schumer said that the IIJA closes these loopholes and ensures taxpayer dollars are used to sustain and grow jobs in domestic manufacturing and throughout product supply chains when investing in the nation’s infrastructure.
Standing at its new facility on Syracuse’s Southside, Schumer highlighted JMA Wireless – and its over 500 employees – as a leading American company that will get a boost from Build America, Buy America requirements applied to funding for high-speed internet expansion in the IIJA. Schumer said JMA Wireless is helping to restore U.S. leadership in cutting-edge wireless technology at a critical time in the transition to 5G by producing some of the world’s most advanced wireless broadband products right in Syracuse. By harnessing funds from the IIJA and the ‘Build America, Buy America’ requirement, the radios and antennas made at JMA’s new Syracuse factory will be positioned to supply efforts to help bridge the digital divide while also creating high-tech manufacturing jobs in Central New York. Schumer added that while JMA plans to employ at least another 200 employees at its new Southside facility, the bipartisan infrastructure deal could lead to even more jobs and growth in the future.
Schumer said the recently-passed IIJA includes a record $65 billion for the expansion of high-speed internet, including $42.45 billion for broadband deployment grants to states, $2.75 billion for Digital Equity and Inclusion, $2 billion for the Tribal Connectivity Fund, and $1 billion for Middle Mile Broadband infrastructure – all of which will be distributed by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Schumer also said that JMA Wireless is positioned to benefit from his U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) that passed the Senate last year. In addition to $52 billion in emergency spending to alleviate the nation’s semiconductor shortage, USICA also includes an additional $1.5 billion to ensure U.S. leadership in the next generation of high-speed internet including open ran technologies. Schumer also worked with JMA on legislation to secure U.S leadership in 6G technologies and beyond. Schumer added that JMA can tap this funding and help the country stay ahead of global competitors. Schumer is now actively working with President Biden and Speaker Pelosi to secure the final passage of USICA into law.
Schumer Contact:
Allison Biasotti, 202-224-7433
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