U.S. Senator Andy Kim delivered a stark warning Monday during a speech at Rutgers-Newark: America’s global leadership is not guaranteed, and the fight to preserve it must begin in New Jersey.
Framing the stakes as both economic and national security, Kim unveiled his vision for an “Einstein Corridor” — a statewide innovation ecosystem designed to connect universities, businesses and federal investment into a blueprint for discovery and growth.
Kim, speaking at Express Newark during on seminar on AI and date science, said the push for innovation is not simply about getting ahead — but preventing the country from being led.
“We have to shape our future, because if we don’t, it will be shaped for us,” he said. “And that would come with significant economic costs and security concerns. It will change our way of life.
“The rules, the pathways to success, and the very definitions of success will be written by our competitors and adversaries if we don’t step up in this moment.
“This is the challenge of our generation. Now the question is: What will we do about it?”
Kim traced the history of innovation in the state to the crowd — and he went much further than just Einstein and Edison.
He noted Alexander Hamilton working to help Paterson become the nation’s first planned industrial city under the vision of Hamilton’s “Society for Establishing Useful Manufacturers.”
Hamilton, Kim said, saw Paterson’s importance as an innovation hub “as adding wealth, independence and economic security to a fledgling democratic nation.”
“From the initial seeds planted by Hamilton, a million flowers bloomed, changing the world around us,” Kim said.
Kim noted the steamboat and steam locomotive (developed in Hoboken), Edison’s more than one thousand patents (from the phonography to the light bulb), Einstein’s theory of relativity — and all the work at Bell Labs.
He also noted the more practical creations, everything from condensed soup by Campbell’s to Band Aids by Johnson and Johnson.
To meet the current moment, Kim pointed to what he is calling the Einstein Corridor, a complex ecosystem that will connect the state’s colleges to its business community to financing.
“It will bring in venture capital in a way we haven’t seen before, create a true start-up and entrepreneurship environment, generate advanced manufacturing, modernize our ports and transit, and attract talent from all over the world,” he said. “It will provide a blueprint for the future of our state to maximize our own potential.”
Kim even addressed the biggest challenge: The ability to work in the state.
“I’ve heard from too many of you about the challenges to start and grow a business here, or attract capital, or just afford to put down roots, into one where young people will stay, and invest and invent,” he said. “This needs to change now.”
He said he has a welcome ally in the effort in Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill — and hopes to combine that with efforts in Washington.
“We should be increasing federal investments, not gutting them and shooting ourselves in the foot,” he said. “I helped pass the Chips and Science Act, and I’m now working on a 2.0 version of industrial policy that will lift up other key industries. I want to engage all of you on how we can do this best. What do you need to be able to do your best work.
“There is so much funding from the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation and others that we can better work together to attract and fuel innovation.”
Kim said he wants the coming years to be the most productive era of federal investment in our state.
“I want New Jersey to get more sophisticated in attracting and retaining businesses,” he said. “No longer should we be outshined by other states in developing incentive packages, workforce programs, university partnerships, federal resources, and other elements that help innovators make up their mind of where to invest.
These things should be done together — in coordination — at all levels of government.
Only then will New Jersey return to form.
“The Einstein Corridor isn’t just an idea to get companies and government programs to invest in New Jersey — it’s an idea to get people to invest in New Jersey,” he said. “To reverse the brain-drain that leads less than 40 percent of high school graduates to stay in state for college.
“It’s an idea that says if you want to build something, build it in New Jersey.
“If you want to invent something, invent it in New Jersey.
“If you want to discover something, discover it in New Jersey.”
