Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman David N. Cicilline are leading their colleagues in announcing the reintroduction of the 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. The legislation 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. The Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act of 2022 is cosponsored 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 Senate and by Representatives Peter Meijer (R-MI-3), Claudia Tenney (R-NY-22), and Joseph Morelle (D-NY-25) in the House of Representatives.
“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, schools, and businesses and recruit American workers to help rebuild our national supply chain. 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.”
“Kansas manufacturers play a crucial role in our state’s success,” said Senator Moran. “Manufacturing drives innovation, provides good-paying jobs and yields quality products that are in demand at home and around the world. Public-private partnerships are important for the ability to compete on a national and global scale and this legislation would allow Kansas communities to grow their manufacturing capabilities and foster steady careers for future generations of Kansans.”
“West Virginia is home to dozens of communities that are defined by the manufacturing industry,” said Senator Capito. “This legislation follows through on our previous efforts to support employers and workers in the manufacturing sector by investing in the partnerships and companies that lead to growth, expansion, and job creation right here in our state.”
“A strong manufacturing industry is key to our economy,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This bipartisan legislation boosts domestic manufacturing and increases job training opportunities, which will help strengthen our supply chains. I’ll keep fighting for American manufacturing to ensure that we retain our competitive economic edge.”
“Increasing the number of good-paying manufacturing jobs is not only essential to growing our economy, but it can also strengthen our national security and help alleviate supply chain disruptions as well,” said Senator Collins. “By increasing the availability of financial and technical assistance and leveraging public-private partnerships, our bipartisan bill would help manufacturing businesses launch, expand, and thrive.”
“Manufacturing is written into Rhode Island’s DNA. Good-paying manufacturing jobs helped build our middle class, and after too many years of seeing these jobs sent overseas, we are reclaiming our identity as a leading center of American manufacturing and innovation,” said Congressman Cicilline. “The Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act, through these new federal funding opportunities, will grow manufacturing jobs, strengthen our local economy, and bring together leaders in business, government, non-profit, and education to develop new strategies for moving our state forward.”
“Michigan has a rich history of manufacturing, but unfortunately, our manufacturing industries have seen their share of challenges, and the pandemic and supply chain disruptions have only exacerbated these problems. The Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act will provide critical investments to bolster our domestic manufacturing, ensuring that critical manufacturing industries have the resources and workforce to succeed right here in the US. I am proud to help lead this bipartisan effort that will help revitalize our manufacturing both in West Michigan and across the country,” said Congressman Meijer.
The Made in America program is a successor to Obama-era government-wide initiative “Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership” (IMCP). The Economic Development Administration operated the IMCP in 2014 and 2015 and successfully enrolled 24 locally-organized public-private consortiums. In addition to Commerce assistance, approved Made in America Manufacturing Communities in the 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. Specifically, the legislation provides that:
- Eligible consortiums include but are not limited to partnerships between commercial industry, state and local government organizations, and academic or nonprofit 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; and assistance for small business concerns.
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.