The Sconi

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI – On August 3, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo at Sanmina in Kenosha County to celebrate Nokia bringing up to 200 manufacturing jobs to Wisconsin to produce key components for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, a $42.45 billion grant program created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand high-speed internet to every American. Senator Baldwin championed strong Buy America provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, requiring that key manufactured products for the BEAD program, along with materials used in roads, bridges, and water infrastructure, be manufactured in the United States, supporting American jobs, businesses, and workers. 

“In Wisconsin, we make things. We have a long and proud manufacturing history, and I am thrilled that with today’s news, that legacy will continue into the future. As we rebuild our nation’s infrastructure, Wisconsin has the world-class research institutions, a robust Made in Wisconsin manufacturing economy, and the skilled workforce to get the job done,” said Senator Baldwin. “I was proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and fight for strong Made in America requirements so that as we’re investing taxpayer dollars in our roads, bridges, water infrastructure, and broadband, we are also supporting Wisconsin businesses, Wisconsin workers, and the Wisconsin economy.”

Nokia announced today they are partnering with Sanmina Corporation to begin manufacturing broadband network electronics products for the BEAD program in the U.S. in Pleasant Prairie. Across the high-speed internet industry, most electronics products are not currently manufactured in the U.S., but Buy America provisions championed by Senator Baldwin in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are driving the onshoring of new manufacturing, particularly ahead of implementation of the BEAD program, through which Wisconsin was allocated more than $1 billion to expand access to high-speed internet. Nationwide, more than 8.5 million households and small businesses are in areas where there is no high-speed internet infrastructure, and millions more struggle with limited or unreliable internet options.

Senator Baldwin has long fought for strong Buy America provisions in federal legislation, successfully including key provisions of her Made in America Act in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Iron, steel, fiber, and construction materials are needed to deliver affordable, reliable high-speed internet service to millions of Americans and because of Senator Baldwin’s Buy America provisions, funds from the BEAD program will be used to purchase items manufactured in the U.S., such as iron, steel, and fiber.

“President Biden and I are delivering on our promise to strengthen our economy by investing in working people, expanding domestic manufacturing, empowering small business owners, and rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure—today’s announcement is a direct result of this work,” said Vice President Harris. “Our investments in broadband infrastructure are creating jobs in Wisconsin and across the nation, and increasing access to reliable, high-speed internet so everyone in America has the tools they need to thrive in the 21st century.”

 “President Biden promised to bring high-speed internet to every corner of America, and to do it with American workers and American-made equipment. This announcement is proof that he's delivering on that promise,” said Secretary Raimondo. “When we invest in American manufacturing and American jobs, there's no limit to what we can achieve. Thanks to the President's leadership, we’re going to connect everyone in America and create a strong and equitable economy that’s built for the future.”  

Senator Baldwin has been a strong advocate for Wisconsin to be at the center of the manufacturing boom created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Last month, Senator Baldwin invited Commerce Secretary Raimondo to Wisconsin to see the state’s potential as a manufacturing hub for key components like broadband equipment as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is implemented across the country.

Original source can be found here.