WARWICK, RI – Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) joined the President of a Johnston welding and machining small business to highlight the company as a model for Rhode Island to best position itself as a leader in new manufacturing. Deborah Giannini, owner of Alpha Metal Works, said she is hoping to work with state leaders to increase manufacturing. As a result of Langevin’s Women in Small Business forum last month, Giannini is now working with the Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Service and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation to support the development of clean, high-tech manufacturing. Her company is ready to expand and provide its services to more businesses.

“ Rhode Island needs to repackage itself and embrace the new face of manufacturing,” said Giannini. “As a state, we are positioned to support the high-tech manufacturing that can attract good-paying jobs and expand the tax base. We have a large amount of commercial space and the educational institutions that can produce high-tech savvy students. It’s time to stop thinking about the jobs we have lost and start thinking about the opportunities to grow.”

“Deborah and her staff represent a perfect example of the efforts we need to support throughout Rhode Island to accelerate our economic recovery,” said Langevin. “We must take every opportunity to connect talented and determined business people like Deborah with the resources that will help them expand and create jobs.”

Following his comments to the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce saying America must invest in out-educating and out-innovating its competitors, Langevin stressed the importance of training a workforce, particularly through career and technical education, to fill the needs of companies like Alpha Metal Works and the new manufacturers that Giannini wants to attract to the Ocean State .

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“These companies need to be able to find employees with the required skills, which is why I’m encouraging young people with an interest in science, math and computers to develop their abilities,” said Langevin, who chairs the Career and Technical Education Caucus. “As one example, Rhode Island ’s involvement in the High School Cyber Challenge will help prepare youth for the expanding cybersecurity industry. I look forward to working with our businesses and schools at all levels to build on that effort.”