WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded executive actions taken today by the Administration to strengthen manufacturing while calling on his colleagues in the Senate to pass the Revitalizing American Manufacturing and Innovation Act (RAMI). Brown’s bipartisan jobs bill – which cleared the U.S. House of Representatives in September – would establish a National Network of Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) and create thousands of high-paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs while enhancing the United States’ role as the world’s leader in advanced manufacturing.

“When our nation’s manufacturing sector is strong, our entire country benefits,” Brown said. “Today’s manufacturing recommendations reflect a comprehensive strategy to spur innovation and encourage growth. Now it’s time for Congress to act swiftly to implement these policies to create jobs and increase investment – let’s start with the Revitalizing American Manufacturing and Innovation Act.”

Today, the Obama Administration announced a series of executive actions outlined in a report that would support manufacturing to create jobs and increase investment. One of the report’s recommendations mirrors Brown’s NNMI legislation that would expand manufacturing hubs – like America Makes in Youngstown – around the nation. Brown’s bill would bring together industry, universities and community colleges, federal agencies, and all levels of government, to accelerate manufacturing innovation in technologies with commercial applications. These public-private institutes would leverage resources to bridge the gap between basic research and product development to create thousands of high-paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs while enhancing the United States’ role as the world’s leader in advanced manufacturing.

Brown is calling on Congress to work with the Administration to implement these recommendations. Today, the Obama Administration announced more than $300 million in advanced materials including composites and bio-based materials, advanced sensors for manufacturing, and digital manufacturing technologies. The Administration also outlined efforts to connect industry and universities to develop ‘technology testbeds’ within federal research facilities where companies can design, prototype, and test a new product or process and to expand apprenticeship programs to improve workforce training.

 

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