WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) held a discussion with Steubenville-area manufactures and met with workers at Barium & Chemicals Inc. today in Steubenville.  Barium & Chemicals is a family-owned business producing a variety of grades compounds such as barium, strontium, calcium, potassium, antimony, and lead.

"Manufacturing is critical to the strength of our nation and the future of our middle class, and clean energy represents the future of American manufacturing," Brown said. "Ohio already has a skilled workforce and a rich manufacturing heritage. Expanding this tax credit would create new manufacturing jobs in a future clean energy economy and help make Ohio the Silicon Valley of Clean Energy Manufacturing."

The discussion focused on how Ohio and the nation can better deal with the challenges of the current recession, preparing for long term opportunities, availability of credit, workforce training, development, competing in a clean energy economy, and dealing with overseas trade.

Described as "Congress' leading proponent of American Manufacturing," Brown is working with the Obama Administration on the creation of a national manufacturing policy and has outlined five key areas of focus to invest in the manufacturing industry:  

  • Creating a business climate, through tax and health care policies, favorable to investment in manufacturing;
  • Investing in the manufacturing capacity for national priorities such as clean energy and critical military equipment;
  • Strengthening our component supply chains through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP);
  • Matching dislocated workers with emerging industries through sector-based workforce training strategies;
  • Making the research and development tax credit permanent to lend predictability to this crucial incentive for manufacturing innovation;
  • Promoting exports and defending against unfair trade.

Brown has introduced a package of key legislative proposals aimed at bolstering the competiveness of U.S. manufacturers. He is the author of the Investments for Manufacturing Progress and Clean Technology (IMPACT) Act, legislation that would help small to medium-sized manufacturers become more energy-efficient or transition to the clean energy supply chain. Brown also authored the  Trade Enforcement Priorities Act, legislation that would give the federal government more authority to address trade barriers that undermine American workers and manufacturing. This includes the reinstatement of Super 301 authority, which provides support to the U.S. Trade Representative to combat export barriers. Finally, Brown is a coauthor of the Security in Energy and Manufacturing (SEAM) Act, legislation that would expand and improve the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit (48C) program.

Brown's visit to Steubenville is part of his "Made in Ohio Tour," that kicked-off earlier this week. With job creation as the top priority, Brown is fighting for a multi-pronged effort to promote economic development - from working to position Ohio as the Silicon Valley of Clean Energy Manufacturing, to establishing the state as a hub for high-growth industries. The key components of Senator Brown's jobs strategy are:

  • Promoting the expansion of Ohio businesses by strengthening small business lending programs and aiding President Obama's goal to significantly boost U.S. exports.
  • Transitioning away from our dependence on foreign oil to a clean energy future in which jobs are centered in the small businesses, manufacturing facilities, and universities of Ohio.
  • Developing Ohio's workforce so that Ohioans are prepared to fill the jobs of the 21st century and revitalizing the state's infrastructure to attract those global industries.
  • Making sure that Ohio industry isn't undermined due to unfair trade by pursuing remedies to counteract China's currency manipulation and subsidization of domestic industries.

 

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