PAWTUCKET, RI – Making good on a promise from last year, U.S. Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) recently unveiled the first draft of his “Make it in America Block Grant” – legislation to provide resources to retool existing small-size manufacturers in Rhode Island so they can compete.
At a roundtable discussion last week with Congressman Cicilline’s “Manufacturing and Trade Policy Advisory Committee,” nearly 20 local manufacturers weighed in on the draft legislation presented to them so that Cicilline can bring their ideas back to Washington with him as he finalizes the bill and prepares to introduce it in April.
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“The purpose of these roundtable discussions is to engage Rhode Islanders in the important work of focusing on jobs and getting our economy back on track,” said Congressman Cicilline. “The discussion was intended to gather the thoughts and opinions of our local manufacturers so they can make sure that the legislation I plan to introduce next month will really work for them.”
“Congressman Cicilline brought us together to hear our thoughts about the draft of his first piece of legislation he authored – the “Make it in America Block Grant,” said Bill Abbott, of Bio-Detek, an electrode manufacturer in Pawtucket and a participant in today’s roundtable. “I think it’s rather telling of where his priorities are that this first piece of legislation will be targeted toward manufacturers.”
Abbott further commented, “I am pleased that Congressman Cicilline will be a partner to local manufacturers. I am proud to serve on his Manufacturing and Trade Policy Advisory Committee because if small-size manufacturers are going to be a part of what’s going on in Washington, then we need to know our Congressman is listening.”
The “Make it in America Block Grant” would provide resources to existing small-size manufacturers, to re-tool their existing operations, train employees to get our local economy moving again, and help put people in our district and state on a path toward a sustainable future.
Highlights from the “Make it in America Block Grant” include:
• Eligibility: States and localities with high unemployment and high rates of manufacturing job loss, Small manufacturers (500 or fewer employees)
• Grants to support: Retooling and retrofitting small manufacturers, Altering business plans to help transition to manufacturing clean energy, high-technology, and advanced products, Improving energy efficiency of facilities, Training and re-training employees, and Expanding export opportunities
• Creation of a “Make it in America” Partnership Board: Comprised of state & local economic development, workforce training, education, and manufacturing assistance entities and Assisting in awarding sub-grants
• Small Manufacturers Enhancement Strategy: Develop goals for the state/local grant program, and Goals for job creation, sales improvements, cost savings, workforce training
“Making sure we work to connect available job training dollars directly to manufacturers so that they can leverage new and innovative equipment is one of the major hurdles facing our manufacturers,” Cicilline noted. “When I go back to Washington, I intend to work to find ways to make sure workforce training dollars are more accessible and easier to use so that our manufacturers aren’t missing out on an opportunity to put people back to work and grow their operations.”
The roundtable discussion was the second in a series of discussions Cicilline will host in the months ahead with the goal of addressing the unique challenges facing Rhode Island’s economy and communities in an effort to ensure these interests and concerns are heard in Washington D.C. Last month, Cicilline met with his first Advisory Committee, the Jobs and Economy Committee. More information about these Advisory Committees and roundtable discussions will be released as meetings are announced.
