Congresswoman Lee Announces $15 Million for Southwest Innovation Engine to Boost Water Security and Economy
Investment Made Possible by Lee-Backed Bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) announced that the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $15 million to a group of local and regional partners – including the Desert Research Institute, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the Southern Nevada Water Authority – to form the Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE).
SWSIE, headquartered at Arizona State University, is one of ten new Innovation Engines funded by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. SWSIE will focus on transforming water security, renewable energy, and net carbon emissions in the region by incentivizing new technology and collaboration while supporting a diverse and highly skilled workforce. Congresswoman Lee voted to pass and helped ensure the CHIPS and Science Act became law in 2022.
“I was proud to pass the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act to make science and technology a key driver for economic growth and competition in Nevada. This $15 million investment will help the Desert Research Institute, UNLV, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, and all our industry partners jumpstart countless innovative water security and sustainability solutions,” said Congresswoman Lee.
The NSF awarded an initial total of $150 million to regions across the country, but each region has the potential to receive up to $160 million over the next ten years – a grand total of $1.6 billion. That amounts to one of the single largest broad investments in place-based research and development in the nation's history.
Representing the Third Congressional District of Nevada, Congresswoman Lee has been a strong advocate for bringing innovative new businesses to southern Nevada through federal investment. Last month, she announced 200 good-paying solar manufacturing jobs are being brought to southern Nevada thanks to tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act that Congresswoman Lee helped pass and championed into law. As the most bipartisan Member of Congress – scoring higher than any Representative, Senator, or Governor – Congresswoman Lee is committed to ensuring that southern Nevada continues to benefit from these investments.
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