CDCA Lauds Reps. Cunningham, Wilson & SC Delegation for Securing Tech Innovation Funding

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, S.C.-January 8, 2020 – Today, the Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) applauded the recent signing into law by the President of the FY 21 Appropriations bill which included a $5 million in the to support technology procurement. The successful effort, which was led by then U.S. Representative Joe Cunningham (D-SC) and U.S. Representative 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 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.

"South Carolina’s defense community is vital for creating jobs. By supporting this effort, 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.”

“I was proud to work with my colleague Joe Wilson to introduce and pass an amendment into the appropriations package to support the effort. 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).

The funding will provide the resources for the Navy 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. “This innovative 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.

-CDCA-

About Charleston Defense Contractors Association:
The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) supports the defense community in the Charleston metro area, South Carolina and the Southeast U.S. The CDCA advocates to preserve, strengthen, and grow the Charleston defense industry through partnership and collaboration with stakeholders and our community. The CDCA represents its members with the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and other Government agencies in the area and surrounding regions and provides input on issues and initiatives to the broader community, such as education, small business mentoring, and congressional affairs.