Cohen Announces $760K for Memphis Bioworks Foundation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) today announced the Memphis Bioworks Foundation has been awarded $760,000 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the construction of the UT-Baptist Research Park in the downtown Memphis Medical Center.

“During these tough economic times, the Memphis Bioworks Foundation continues to move forward with its plan to create jobs and help our economy grow with bioscience technology,” said Congressman Cohen. “Bioscience technology will help transform Memphis into a 21st century city that grows good jobs, strengthens our infrastructure, and encourages entrepreneurship. These new federal funds will go a long way toward helping Memphis become a leader in the bioscience world.”

The federal funds were made available via HUD’s EDI Special Project Grant Program. Founded in 2001 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3), the Memphis Bioworks Foundation leads a collaboration of public, private, academic, and government organizations aligned behind the common goal of establishing Memphis as a center for the development and commercialization of biomedical technology. This development would transform the local economy and revitalize the community. The Foundation has marketed Memphis as ripe with potential, and has recommended building infrastructure, growing the workforce and promoting entrepreneurship as the keys to becoming a truly world-class center for bioscience.