WASHINGTON, DC— Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) praised an announcement by General Electric (GE) that it will locate its new U.S. Global Operations Center in Cincinnati. The facility is expected to create 1,400 new jobs by 2017, with additional jobs expected in subsequent years.

“GE’s decision to expand operations in Ohio is a testament to the quality of Ohio’s workforce,” Brown said. “This investment will create hundreds of new jobs and further build upon the legacy of GE Aviation in the Cincinnati area.”

The Center will be one of five worldwide and will focus on providing support services for the company’s engine, appliance, and technology divisions. GE Aviation, headquartered in Evendale, is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial and military aircraft engines.

Described as “Congress' leading proponent of American Manufacturing,” Brown—a member of the Senate Manufacturing Caucus—has introduced a package of key legislative proposals aimed at bolstering the competiveness of U.S. manufacturers and boosting domestic manufacturing. Brown is also a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee.

On Wednesday, Brown and U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt’s (R-MO) Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013 moved one step closer to becoming law when it was passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee.  Endorsed by GE, this legislation will support the creation of public-private partnerships like the recently announced American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMMII) and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) in Youngstown, Ohio. GE is a corporate partner in ALMMII which is headed by the Edison Welding Institute (EWI), The Ohio State University, and the University of Michigan.

Brown and Blunt’s legislation is designed to bring together industry, universities and community colleges, federal agencies and all levels of government to accelerate manufacturing innovation in technologies with commercial applications. It would establish public-private institutes to leverage resources to bridge the gap between basic research and product development.

A full list of industry, corporate, and university support of Brown and Blunt’s legislation can be found: HERE

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