Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited the Northland Workforce Training Center in Buffalo to announce her bipartisan, bicameral Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act of 2022. Based on Gillibrand’s successful Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program, this new program incentivizes private-public partnerships by empowering the Secretary of Commerce to designate consortiums as “Manufacturing Communities,” which would be eligible for federal financial and technical assistance designed to expand and support domestic manufacturing. Gillibrand’s bill would help strengthen the U.S. manufacturing base, encourage domestic public-private partnerships, and help local businesses cut through bureaucratic red tape to address ongoing pandemic-related supply chain disruptions that continue plaguing local economies. She was joined in Buffalo by Henry Cialone with Buffalo Manufacturing Works, President of Western New York Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO Peter DeJesus, and President & CEO of Northland Workforce Training Center Stephen Tucker.
“It’s going to take hard work and smart federal investments to get supply chains back on track after two years of pandemic-related disruptions,” said Senator Gillibrand. “That’s why I’m introducing the Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act of 2022 – legislation that uses current federal resources to invest in public-private partnerships building the next generation of leaders in manufacturing. By taking a community-based approach, we can invest in innovative groups and businesses, just like the Northland Workforce Training Center, and recruit American workers to help rebuild our national supply chain. New York is already a leader in this space, and this long-term investment will empower businesses to create good-paying manufacturing jobs that fit the needs of individual communities right at home in America.”
“Buffalo Manufacturing Works applauds Senator Gillibrand’s vision for the Made in America Manufacturing Act. This act will help manufacturers compete on a global scale, assisting small and medium sized manufacturers as they invest in innovative technologies such as additive manufacturing, advanced automation, and next generation nondestructive inspection – innovations that drive productivity, quality, and job quality. Buffalo Manufacturing Works enthusiastically supports this the Act and its focus on increased access to capital and technical assistance, as well as developing a skilled workforce pipeline, both critical to helping manufacturers compete and grow,” said Henry Cialone with Buffalo Manufacturing Works.
“The Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act would build on Western New York’s manufacturing legacy,” said Peter DeJesus, President of the Western New York Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. “This bipartisan bill would create an influx of good paying jobs, drive local innovation, and create a community of manufacturing alliances here in New York. Recent supply chain issues have made it clear: it’s time to focus our attention on manufacturing in America. I want to thank Senator Gillibrand for championing this effort. The WNY Area Labor Federation fully supports this legislation.”
Gillibrand’s Made in America program is a successor to the experimental, Obama-era “Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership” (IMCP). The Economic Development Administration operated the IMCP between 2014 and 2015 and successfully enrolled 24 locally-organized public-private consortiums. In addition to Commerce assistance, approved Made in America Manufacturing Communities in Gillibrand’s new proposal would have access to technical assistance from other federal agencies, giving them a leg up in accessing a wide array of federal grants. Specifics on Made in America eligibility and investments:
- Eligible consortiums include but are not limited to partnerships between commercial industry, state and local government organizations, and academic or workforce training organizations to convene community stakeholders and set the foundation for long-term investments in manufacturing communities.
- Eligible consortiums can be designated as a Manufacturing Community for a 5-year period, after which they can apply for re-designation for two additional 2-year periods.
- Approved Manufacturing Communities will receive assistance and investments in equipment or facility upgrades; workforce training, retraining, or recruitment and retention; business incubators; advanced research and commercialization; supply chain development; assistance for small business concerns; and strategic planning assistance for consortiums that lack experience applying for federal assistance.
In addition to Senator Gillibrand, the Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act of 2022 is supported by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Jerry Moran (R-KS). In the House of Representatives, the bill is supported by Congressmen David Cicilline (D-RI-1) and Peter Meijer (R-MI-3).
The bipartisan bill is endorsed by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition, National Association of Development Organizations, National Association of Counties, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, National Tooling and Machining Association, North American Die Casting Association, Precision Machined Products Association, Precision Metalforming Association, and the National Skills Coalition.
For the full bill text, please click here.
For more information on the bill, please click here.