This afternoon U.S. Representatives Gabrielle Giffords and Martin Heinrich introduced legislation that would provide a strong boost to state and local economies by encouraging the construction and expansion of science parks. The House bill is a companion to S. 583, the Building a Stronger America Act, which was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas. The bill was approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and awaits action by the full Senate.

"This bill will spur innovation and help create the kind of high-paying, high-technology jobs we need to be competitive in the global economy," said Giffords, a member of the House Science and Technology Committee. "Seed money provided to science parks today represents a wise investment in our future." 

"When world-class scientists and entrepreneurs put their minds together, anything is possible," Heinrich said. "Science parks leverage a region's existing competitive strengths and are a key component to becoming a nation of sustainable growth and quality jobs." Read more–U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich