Leading Defense Nonprofit Worked Closely with U.S. Representatives Joe Cunningham (D-SC) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) to Drive Nonpartisan Federal Funding to Support Defense Innovation in the Lowcountry
Charleston, SC – October 27, 2020 – Today, the Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) announced the passing (in the House) of $5 million in the FY 21 Defense Appropriations Bill, to support technology procurement. The successful effort, which was led by U.S. Representatives Joe Cunningham (D-SC) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) involved an intensive effort by CDCA that engaged the entire South Carolina House delegation. The federal funds would be used to foster advancements by the NavalX Palmetto Tech Bridge. The Palmetto Tech Bridge is the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic's program with leading academic research institutions, world-class industry partners, renowned federal labs and forward-thinking state organizations to foster the use of advanced technologies such as Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the defense sector.
“I was proud to work with my colleague Joe Wilson to introduce and pass an amendment into the appropriations package to support the Palmetto Tech Bridge. This funding will help support the partnership between the Navy and Lowcountry tech startups, small businesses, companies, and universities; strengthening our national security and our defense community here at home,” said U.S. Congressman Joe Cunningham (D-SC).
"South Carolina’s defense community is vital for creating jobs. By supporting the Palmetto Tech Bridge, we ensure that our state continues to lead the nation and the world in cybersecurity, which is critical for our national security and future job growth,” said Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC). "I was grateful to work with my South Carolina colleagues to help bring defense funding to the state to support innovation and collaboration through the Palmetto Tech Bridge."
If passed by the U.S. Senate and included in the final FY21 Defense spending bill, the funding would provide the resources for the Palmetto Tech Bridge to catalyze a collaborative innovative environment. One of the first initiatives will be the modernization of complex IT environments on-board Naval ships, at Naval installations and within data centers to utilize AI and ML to improve human efficiencies.
“We are very fortunate to have such great support from Representatives Cunningham and Wilson who are true champions for the Defense industry in the Palmetto State and we are grateful for having such a strong working relationship with both of them,” said Heather Walker, President of the CDCA. “The Tech Bridge concept is an exciting new approach that fosters collaboration between the Navy, industry, academia and key stakeholders from across the state and is designed to spur both defense innovation and job creation in South Carolina.”
The 2018 National Defense Strategy was a call to the Department of Defense (DoD) to find ways to harness innovation in private businesses and academia to better serve and protect our country. In response to this, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, Mr. James “Hondo” Guerts, set up the NavalX office in February 2019. Tech Bridges, such as the Palmetto Tech Bridge, establish collaborative spaces outside military bases, bringing together parts of the Navy workforce with startups, small businesses, larger companies, and academia to lower traditional barriers that have hampered collaboration.
About CDCA:
Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) is an association of organizations and individual professionals dedicated to preserving, strengthening and continuing to grow the defense industry and its affiliated organizations in Charleston, South Carolina, and its immediate surrounding region. Since its inception in December 2002, the CDCA has worked to address issues facing the continually changing landscape that is Charleston’s defense industry presence and ensure that it continues to be a thriving, sustained business opportunity in Charleston, South Carolina. For further information, visit us at http://www.charlestondca.org/.
