Video Chat Understanding American Jobs Plan Episode 1

When the Biden Administration introduced the monumental American Jobs Plan, significant attention has understandably focused on the price tag. However, the plan as proposed provides substantial funds for a wide array of “infrastructure” investments.

For instance, the plan includes hundreds of billions of dollars focused on improving technology infrastructure across the country including building out the EV charging network and address issues within the vast supply chain space that has been under a microscope since the pandemic changed the world.

As part of the IW Members Only offering, we will run regular video chats designed to spend a few moments with thought leaders to discuss topics that matter to American manufacturers.

Dissecting the proposed American Jobs Plan is a great opportunity to kick off the new series. For the number of weeks, we will post discussion exploring the various components.

The first focus area will be on the technology component of the plan where $180 billion are earmarked for technology innovation as well as research and development. The first guest is Chicago-based Neil Jain, director of high tech and software practice at West Monroe Partners.

From the Fact Sheet

According to the fact sheet released by the White House, the plan provides for investments in R&D and the technologies of the future. "We are one of the few major economies whose public investments in research and development have declined as a percent of GDP in the past 25 years. Countries like China are investing aggressively in R&D, and China now ranks number two in the world in R&D expenditures. In addition, barriers to careers in high-innovation sectors remain significant. We must do more to improve access to the higher wage sectors of our economy. In order to win the 21^st century economy, President Biden believes America must get back to investing in the researchers, laboratories, and universities across our nation. But this time, we must do so with a commitment to lifting up workers and regions who were left out of past investments."

Biden is is calling on Congress to make an $180 billion investment that will:

Advance U.S. leadership in critical technologies and upgrade America’s research infrastructure.
Establish the United States as a leader in climate science, innovation, and R&D.
Eliminate racial and gender inequities in research and development and science, technology, engineering, and math.